Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, at the second meeting on the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development

(New York, 5 October 2023)

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful 

My delegation would like to associate itself with the statement delivered by the Delegation of Cuba on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and the statement delivered by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. I would also like to add the following points in my national capacity.

Mr. President,

Access to finance is critical for developing countries. Lack of financial resources is a significant barrier to economic growth, poverty eradication and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Therefore, it is essential to facilitate an international environment in which developing countries can access finance without any discrimination.

Developing countries face a variety of challenges when it comes to accessing finance.  Among them, Unilateral Coercive Measures are one of the main obstacles confronting many developing countries.

These measures undermine the right to development of the targeted people, by limiting the ability of targeted countries to achieve their developmental goals and hindering their access to resources and opportunities for their growth.

The right to life and health are endangered by UCMs. UCMs have a significant negative influence on everyone's health in the target countries, especially women, children, and the elderly.

Sanctions have made already-existing environmental issues worse in developing countries, particularly by restricting the ability of the targeted countries to obtain foreign goods and services that could lessen environmental harm. They also prevent international funding from banks, investors, and lending agencies for 6projects aimed at improving the environment.

These illegal measures have also a significant impact on the peoples of targeted countries during times of disasters, particularly in preventing access to essential goods and services.

Furthermore, UCMs are an important obstacle for international cooperation and undermine the activities of the UN system, in weakening Multilateralism while strengthening Unilateralism.

Mr. President,

Another topic to be address is Reform in IFIs as one of the leading priorities of our time. We must strengthen the participation of developing countries in economic and financial decision making. Further governance reform in IFIs, especially in the IMF and World Bank, is necessary. These institutions must stop employing and disseminating the extraterritorial application of domestic laws of one country against others.  While reform is in our agenda, addressing the immediate needs of developing countries cannot be ignored.

In conclusion, Mr. President, I must emphasize that Unilateral Coercive Measures, which encompass economic sanctions, pose a significant threat to our collective solidarity and cooperation in achieving our shared objectives. Such unwarranted and unlawful measures undermine the right to development, health and life of the peoples of targeted countries.

I thank you for your attention.