Statement by
H.E. Mr. Eshagh Al Habib
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative
of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
At the General Debate of the Second Committee
75th Meeting of the General Assembly
New York, 6 October 2020
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Delegates,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your election as the Chair of the Second Committee, as well as to other members of the Bureau on their election, and assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in fulfilling your mandate. Let me also take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of those who have lost their beloved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also wish any affected individuals a speedy and full recovery.
My Delegation would like to first and foremost align itself with the statement delivered by the Delegation of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Dear Colleagues,
COVID-19, as an international crisis, cannot be defeated without resorting to the joint efforts of all countries in a spirit of multilateralism, cooperation and solidarity. This virus not only threatens the life and wellbeing of people across the globe, it also increases the poverty, hunger and inequalities that exist between and among countries. Ultimately, it culminates into a destructive blow to the achievement of sustainable development goals. To tackle this crisis, global response is much needed, and multilateral action is essential. In this regard, we voice our agreement with the Secretary-General that " COVID-19 has laid bare the world’s fragilities" and that "to overcome today’s fragilities and challenges we need more international cooperation" with "more effective multilateralism, with vision, ambition and impact".
However, it sounds alarming that the unjust, self-serving and unilateral approaches adopted by a few are undermining and threatening multilateralism when it is most needed. As a matter of fact, the main and current global challenges remain to be the two most destructive anti-growth viruses, namely UCMs –the new version – and COVID-19.
Mr. Chairman,
Financing for development is now, more than ever, posed to challenges. The rampant blow to multilateralism has generated huge challenges for both “financing” and “development”. The protectionist and embargo policies by some major players cast doubt on the effectiveness of multilateral financing and trading systems. The international community should therefore ensure that financing for development in no way becomes hostage to coercive and restrictive agendas.
Excellencies,
Despite all restraints, including the ones culminating from the U.S.’ unjustifiable, unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA- which is a true achievement of multilateral diplomacy- and the imposition of its illegal sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran, while being deprived of the projected benefits of the Plan, is geared to scale up efforts to build a more prosperous and sustainable future for its people. As a result of these unwavering efforts, Iran ranks 56th among 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals Index, according to the “Sustainable Development Report 2020”, which confirms the extent of Iran’s achievements despite all constraints. For instance, on education, ending illiteracy and providing universal free public education up to secondary school has approached its full realization, and the literacy rate is currently above 97% of the population.
Pertaining to women and their participation in social as well as economic sectors, currently, 27% of faculty members, more than 50% of college students, and almost 37% of medical doctors are women. At the decision-making level, there has been a 60% increase in women's appointments to these aforementioned careers.
As far as climate change mitigation and adaptation is concerned, the special circumstances of my country under the illegitimate unilateral sanctions has left no access to the means of implementation for climate action under the Convention. Despite these obstacles, the strategy of a low carbon economy is just one of the environmental mandates, as stated by our Supreme Leader, under which Iran has made significant strides in transforming to a low carbon economy.
In the field of natural disasters, Iran has been committed to play an important role and have a notable share in helping vulnerable countries to be more resilient against such catastrophes. In this connection, Iran is hosting the UNESCAP Center for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) and voluntarily funding its activities.
Here, let me refer to one of the most important challenges our Country and countries across the larger region face: it is sand and dust storms. Iran, with its arid land, faces the thickest barrier of sand in some parts, for a large portion of the dry season. A comprehensive national plan has been put in place to deal with desertification and drought as well as to address the harmful effects of sand and dust storms. The objective of this plan has been containing the SDS hotspots and reducing the impact on areas beyond our borders. However, a large number of hotspots in the region still impact our Country, and that is why we need to reach out to others in the region to synergize our efforts in dealing with the issue. This is exactly where the entire UN development system can be called forth to assist countries in the region to address the issue and to mitigate the harmful effects of these storms. We extend our hands to all in the region to join the UN Coalition to Combat Dust and Sand Storms for a collective approach to the issue.
Distinguished Delegates,
In stark defiance of the U.N. Charter, as well as the principles of international law, stands the imposition of Unilateral Coercive Measures. Such measures are an open assault to multilateralism and to the efforts for the realization of sustainable development goals. They are designed and executed to deny nations of their inherent human rights - in particular the right to development, depriving governments of means essential for achieving sustainable development and hindering international cooperation as well as friendly relations among nations. Currently, as this unprecedented global public health crisis continues to ravage communities throughout the world, the UCMs, including measures in the form of illegal extraterritorial sanctions, are basically paralyzing national healthcare systems and infringing the abilities of the affected governments in delivering the essential requirements needed to respond to the consequences of the pandemic in order to both save its peoples and ensure healthy lives for all as contained in Goal 3 of the Agenda. Therefore, as long as illegal unilateral sanctions continue to be enforced around the world, tens of millions will be left behind. This clearly defies the promise we made in the Agenda.
The Islamic Republic of Iran deems the immediate removal of such unlawful measures essential for the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Mr. Chairman,
In order to overcome today’s fragilities and challenges, we need less talking and more action. Therefore, let me conclude by reiterating that only together can we realize the promise which we jointly made to leave no one behind.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.