Statement by

Mr. Heidar Ali Balouji

First Counsellor

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

On the 2021 Session of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean

New York - 6 July 2021

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

Mr. Chair,

I would like to begin by commending the dedicated and capable leadership of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, with respect to the Ad-hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean. 

Following the adoption of the "Declaration on the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace" fifty years ago, the aforementioned region and Declaration have not only retained their importance but also gained even more relevance, given the existing figures on the issue at hand. Taking into consideration that this region is home to major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and East Asia with Europe and the Americas, these vital sea routes facilitate maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region, carry more than half of the world's sea-borne oil and host 23 of the world's top 100 container ports.

However, the region faces a range of serious security challenges. When taking into account the traditional security threats that are faced, one should not lose sight of emerging threats, such as piracy and drug trafficking as well as environmental degradation, which all pose a significant threat to the growth of the region. Therefore, regional security serves as a public good that can aid both the region and the entire world while simultaneously preventing major powers from competing for control over the resources and sea lanes in the region. 

Concerned with the recent developments regarding the increased military engagement of extra-regional powers as well as the high tendency of the arms race activity in the region, we are of the view that the current facts strongly substantiate the validity of the Declaration which calls upon all states to consider and respect the Indian Ocean region as a zone of peace from which great power rivalry should be excluded. Furthermore, the Declaration has also envisaged that the area should be free of nuclear weapons, which is a component necessary for sustainable security in this region. In the same vein, it is still true that devoting the available resources to alliances other than military ones results in heightened tensions incompatible with and requested by the Declaration, which is very much needed.  

We believe that establishing such a zone in the Indian Ocean region for the foreseeable future and implementing the required commitments would greatly contribute towards relaxing international tensions while strengthening international peace and security.

Once this can be achieved, the great powers should enter into immediate consultations with the littoral states of the Indian Ocean in order to halt further escalation and expansion of their military presence in the region; eliminate all of their existing bases, military installations and logistical supply facilities in the region; dispose of not only nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction but also, last not least, the manifestation of great-power military presence in the Indian Ocean in the context of the great rivalry for power. 

Mr. Chair,

In closing, derived from the Declaration and the resolutions adopted consequently as well as bearing in mind the purpose and mandate drawn for the Ad-hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean, we have an substantial responsibility to materialize them. Needless to say, all of the states that are both inside and outside of the region should refrain from any activity against this noble goal, and to that end, the extra-regional powers must eliminate their military presence in the Indian Ocean region. While the countries of the Indian Ocean region indeed have the required capabilities to address any issue by themselves without relying on those extra-regional powers, maritime cooperation can still be an opportunity, in addition to many other possibilities ranging from socio-economic to security aspects, that can aid in the realization of bringing about remarkable benefits to the peace and stability of the region.  

With its peaceful initiatives in many fields from energy diplomacy to regional and sub-regional security, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to work with you and all regional countries for the advancement of the aforesaid Declaration and assist the Ad-hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean in delivering its required services.  

Thank you very much.