Explanation of Position by Mr. Mohammad Ghorbanpour, Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

on Agenda item 131 “Global Health and Foreign Policy”

General Assembly, December 14, 2020

In the name of God, the most compassionate, the most merciful

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to extend my gratitude to the co-facilitators of the informal consultations on both draft Resolutions just were adopted (United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) & Global health and foreign policy: strengthening health system resilience through affordable health care for all) especially the delegations of Indonesia, Japan and Chile to the UN. My delegation, in the spirit of constructive engagement, participated in the negotiations in order to ensure balanced, inclusive and reality-based resolutions. 

While the theme of this year’s resolution under this agenda item is “Strengthening Health System Resilience through Affordable Healthcare for All”, there is skepticism as to whether this resolution has been successful in achieving its goal. According to the framework introduced by the WHO, affordable prices, sustainable financing as well as reliable health and supply systems are among the factors that affect access to medicine. However, all of these factors have been severely affected in a number of developing countries due to the imposition of illegal unilateral coercive measures taken by a few based on their political agenda. In fact, this resolution deliberately avoids calling upon those states to refrain from imposing illegal unilateral measures that impede access to affordable healthcare and medicine, especially during this challenging time, while at the same time specifies significant levels of commitment for the governments to ensure everyone’s right in this regard.

Given the severe negative impacts of the sanctions on the healthcare systems and the health of ordinary people, my delegation, along with several others, proposed an action-oriented paragraph during the negotiations so that the realities on the ground could be reflected in the draft. However, the proposal was rejected by some who seek to continue the imposition of illegal sanctions on innocent people as an indispensable part of their political agenda. 

Mr. President,

Most of us have been affected by spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with my Country among the worst impacted thus far. The most devastating aspect of sanctions is their human toll, which in this case is further magnified by the severe shortage of critical medicine and medical equipment for millions of Iranians. Among them are children battling grave diseases such as cancer and Epidermolysis bullosa (EB). In fact, my Country is now fighting on two fronts. First, it is fighting the COVID-19 outbreak, and secondly, it is a fight against the US’ economic and health sanctions. The latter adversely affects Iran’s ability in the former. 

It is baselessly alleged that the UCMs do not directly cover medical supplies, but the reality is that the exclusion and deprivation of a Country from international trade and the international banking system deprives it of the ability to acquire them through existing commercial mechanisms. It is worth noting the statement by Idriss Jazairy, the former special rapporteur on the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on enjoyment of human rights, detailed the ongoing situation as follows, “While US sanctions including humanitarian exemptions, there were reports that aid is on hold as banks, insurance and logistics companies await clarification.”

Mr. President,

The adverse consequences of such measures are far-reaching and severe, especially in the context of the current trying situation affecting all human rights, in particular the right to life. In this sense, the continuation of these measures is simply criminal. Based on that, the international community should take all necessary measures to reject, condemn and eliminate any unilateral coercive measures in order to protect and uphold human values as well as moral principles, especially during such a catastrophic crisis. 

Mr. President,

Regarding op.13 of the resolution entitled “Global Health and foreign Palicy: Strengthening Health System Resilience through Affordable Healthcare for All”, my delegation would like to disassociate itself from this paragraph, as we believe this paragraph does not enjoy consensus among all delegations. 

Thank you.