Statement by

H.E. Mrs. Zahra Ershadi

Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

At the 6th Multi-stakeholder Forum, ECOSOC

on “Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals”

New York, 5 May 2021

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

Mr. President,

As we address this year’s STI theme of “Science, technology and innovation for a sustainable and resilient COVID-19 recovery”, we can all agree that science and technology are among the most essential tools available in combating the current global health crisis. 

At the same time, we believe that STI are among the key means of implementation for Sustainable Development and are considered as an important strategic variable in national development planning.  For this reason, we insist on the importance of capacity building for developing countries along with the promotion of regional and international cooperation. Furthermore, the transfer of knowledge and know-how without discrimination and politicization in the field of science is vastly important and should be made a priority, especially in consideration of new and emerging technologies without which the attempts aimed at fighting against COVID, the progress in the implementation of the SDGs as well as the efforts towards filling the technology gaps and addressing digital divides would be doomed to failure. It is to be noted that technology transfer, especially to developing countries, will be critical in order to scale up and accelerate their efforts in the abovementioned areas.

The importance of supporting the policies and activities of developing countries in the fields of STI through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation in the areas of financial and technical assistance, capacity-building and technology transfer can not be overemphasized. In this regard, the increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) targeting the development of STI capacities in developing countries is also a rightful demand. In all of the above mentioned dimensions, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, as the United Nations focal point for STI related issues can play a central role.

Mr. President,

The right to development, including the right to have access to new technologies for developing countries, would not be realized in an environment in which multilateralism is under severe pressure. In this regard, the international community should adopt urgent and effective measures to eliminate the use of unilateral coercive measures, including unlawful and unjust unilateral sanctions against developing countries that impede their full achievement of economic and social development and constitute a serious obstacle to combat the current pandemic, particularly by targeting ordinary citizens and their right to life and health.

I thank you for your attention