Statement by H. E. Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
On “The United Nations Charter at 75: Multilateralism in a Fragmented World”
At the Virtual High-Level Forum to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter
New York, 10 June 2020
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In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,
Mr. Chairman,
75 years ago, our colleagues signed the UN Charter and founded this Organization.
The Charter was not perfect; but helped us prevent and contain conflicts and saved us from the “scourge” of a world war.
Moreover, even its selective implementation resulted in other achievements, chief among them the independence of many nations.
It also helped in the development of a great number of international instruments and institutions that form the foundations of current Charter-based and UN-centered international system.
However, this multilateral system has now faced serious challenges, 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”.
The most tangible and credible indicator of this situation is the systematic unlawful resort to the threat or use of force by the U.S.; its repeated interference and intervention in domestic affairs of other States including for regime change; its excessive addiction to imposing unlawful unilateral sanctions and economic terrorism; as well as its policy in recent years to withdraw from international instruments and institutions.
If unchecked, such policies and practices will further endanger the already undermined pillars of multilateralism, particularly the UN, its Charter and international law.
At this turbulent and defining time, there is no urgent task than addressing the challenges of multilateralism, particularly those faced by the Charter.
With all its faults and flaws, the UN Charter contains a number of everlasting values such as justice and human dignity as well as certain essential guiding principles like sovereign equality of States; the rule of law; prohibition of the threat or use of force; good neighborliness; developing friendly relations; peaceful settlement of disputes; non-interference in domestic affairs of States; respecting the territorial integrity and political independence of States; and international cooperation in solving international problems.
The fact is that, in the past 75 years, the Charter has not been implemented in a full, balanced, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
Therefore, to ensure that this challenge is appropriately addressed, must be our most urgent task, which of course is impossible without the strong political will of ALL States.
This is the only way to promote 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.