Statement by Mr. Mohammad Ghorbanpour

the Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the General Assembly

Oceans and the law of the sea Agenda Item (76)

8 December 2020

Thank you Mr. President,

Allow me at the beginning to extend my appreciation to the Secretary-General for his reports on the Oceans and the Law of the Sea as well as the coordinators of the informal consultations on both draft resolutions A/75/L.39 and A/75/L.40. We would also like to thank the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea for their efforts and invaluable support throughout this exercise.

Mr. President,

While recalling the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 as a general legal framework for activities in the oceans and seas and acknowledging the status of the Islamic republic of Iran as a signatory state to the UNCLOS, we are of the view that this Convention is not the only legal framework governing activities carried out in the oceans and seas. Therefore, we would expect any negotiations on related resolutions to oceans and seas consider the position of non-member parties to that Convention and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that encompasses the legitimate concerns of those countries. Such an inclusive vision could lead to constructive engagement among a wider number of countries in supporting those resolutions. Nevertheless, any constructive engagement by my Delegation during the negotiations and joining of the consensus should not be construed as acceptance of this Convention as a legally binding instrument by my Government. Iran’s activities in the marine environment strictly adhere to those international instruments that it has expressly accepted.

However, among others, having a strong belief in protecting the sea and its resources as well as ensuring the safety and security of maritime activities have inspired us to cooperate with other countries in a constructive spirit on these parts of the planet.  

As a coastal state of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, the I.R. of Iran is committed to realizing the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 14 in line with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. In order to achieve those targets, we stress that much greater efforts should be undertaken by states and all other stake holders, including through international cooperation and coordination as well as by providing capacity building, transfer of marine technology and know-how to the developing countries.

The I. R. of Iran highly values the efforts that have been made on sustainable fisheries management which have an outstanding role in supporting the economic activities of some developing countries, conservation of maritime resources, healthy maritime ecosystems and ensuring food security for all. Therefore, we attach importance to the activities to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, which threatens the sustainable use of living marine resources.

Mr. President,

Nearly the entire population of my Country that inhabits the northern coast of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is heavily dependent either on the resources of the aforementioned body of water or affected by its marine environment. In addition, my Country is vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events in that area and suffers from the adverse effects of maritime pollution and marine resource depletion. Irresponsible construction of artificial islands in the Persian Gulf and the destruction of habitats of rare marine species would endanger the sustainability of its natural maritime resources. Deployment and heavy presence of military fleets from countries outside of the region in the Persian Gulf have exacerbated not only the safety and security of coastal states and smooth navigation in this body of water, but also its maritime pollution and marine resource depletion. We urge all relevant states to cooperate in order to protect the environment of this shared body of water and refrain from unilateral acts that might endanger its marine environment.

Acknowledging the importance of conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of the maritime biological resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the I. R. of Iran supports the development of an effective, comprehensive and legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, consistent with the international law of the sea. We are of the view that biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction should be considered as the common heritage of humankind and that the benefits resulting from their use and exploitation should be equally shared among states. We advocate for a text-based negotiation and would like this text to adequately address, inter alia, the issues of capacity building, transfer of technology and know-how.

The I. R. of Iran reiterates its commitment to a rule-based maritime order for securing maritime rights and interests for all as well as ensuring that maritime activities are undertaken smoothly, including based on the international law of the sea. Based on that commitment and sincere conviction wherein the protraction of conflicts and ever-escalating tensions among littoral States of Persian Gulf are prone not only to further destabilize the region but also to severely endanger the development and prosperity of the peoples of the region, the President of my Country proposed the “Hormuz Peace Endeavour” at the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly. The I. R. of Iran remains steadfast in its belief that regional cooperation based on the aforementioned proposal would ensure the safety, security and international order at sea, especially in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Our contribution to combat piracy at sea in the region and beyond, in cooperation with other countries, emanates from the same sentiment and understanding.

Finally, Mr. President, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to unilateral coercive measure that already existed due to the US maximum pressure policy on my country and Iranian people has exacerbated the daily life of ordinary Iranian people. It has heavily affected provision of basic needs of people including food, medicine and medical equipment and commodity supply chain due to disruption of freedom of navigation of the I. R. of Iran Shipping Lines as a result of the cruel sanctions. We urge the international community to disregard this inhuman sanctions and inter into cooperation with my country especially in maritime cooperation.

I thank you Mr. President