Statement by H. E. Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi

Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

On the “Seventy-five years from the end of the Second World War on European soil - lessons learned for preventing future atrocities, responsibility of the Security Council”

At the high-level open UNSC Arria-formula meeting

New York, 8 May 2020

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

Mr. Chairman,

The main lesson humanity has learned from World War II is “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. We have only one choice, that is “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations … [under] international law can be maintained”.

Accordingly, through the Charter we agreed that such a noble objective can best realized if we “live together in peace … as good neighbors”, “develop friendly relations”, “settle … disputes by peaceful means”, “refrain … from the threat or use of force” “achieve international cooperation in solving international problems” and “employ international machinery for the … advancement of all peoples”.

Consequently, we established the United Nations as “a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends”.

This was promoted by developing a great number of international instruments and institutions that form current multilateral system, which proved that, while not ideal and prefect, but is the only available tool at our disposal.

However, today, all those lessons learned and achievements gained are at high risk and, as the UNSG rightly puts it, the “world order is increasingly chaotic”; “democratic principles are under siege”; “the rule of law is being undermined”; and “multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most”.

Therefore, our most urgent and key question today is how to address the challenges of multilateralism.

The illegal unilateral actions of the U.S., with its excessive addiction to sanctions and economic terrorism as well as its policy to withdraw from international instruments and institutions are alarming.

One of the living examples of systematic mockery of international law is the violation of Council’s resolution 2231 by the U.S. which is brazenly threatening others to either violate that resolution or face punishment.

Such bullying policies and unlawful practices are growingly eroding the pillars of multilateralism, tarnishing the credibility of this Organization and mainly the Security Council.

To conclude, today, multilateralism is not only an option, it is the only option. There is no magic solution or alternative; as challenges such as Coronavirus do not recognize boundaries and thus cannot be managed with one or certain countries alone, no matter how powerful they are.

Let’s be united in pursuing the common goods of all states and in promoting true multilateralism founded on inclusion instead of exclusion; cooperation in place of confrontation; and rule of law instead of rule of power.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.