Statement by

H.E. Mr. Majid Takht Ravanchi

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

On “Maintenance of international peace and security: climate and security”

Before the United Nations Security Council

New York, 23 September 2021

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

Mr. President,

I would like to begin by making a reference to former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who has said “Climate change is one of the most complex, multifaceted and serious threats the world faces. The response to this threat is fundamentally linked to pressing concerns of sustainable development and global fairness; of economy, poverty reduction and society”.

Accordingly, we share the views that climate change is essentially an issue related to sustainable development rather than a matter of international peace and security since the direct correlation between climate change and security has not been proven.

Therefore, the negative impacts of climate change must be addressed in a proper, holistic, coordinated and action-oriented manner based on a multilateral approach.

In practice, to date, the international community has made significant efforts at the global level aimed at addressing climate related challenges.

Such efforts have led to the development of landmark international legally binding instruments, namely the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The Convention is, therefore, the primary international mechanism for dealing with the climate related risks.

Addressing the risks and challenges posed by climate change should be considered a collective responsibility, and accordingly, all States must fully fulfill their respective obligations under that Convention.

We strongly call for the strict observance of the principle of common but differentiated responsibility of States, according to which, while all States must cooperate in the spirit of global partnership to address the adverse impacts of climate change, developed countries, due to their substantial contributions to climate change and the technologies and financial resources they command, have greater responsibility in addressing such challenges.

The developed countries must therefore fully implement all their respective obligations under the Convention. They must take the lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provide adequate, predictable and timely support including in the area of finance, technology transfers and capacity-building to developing countries.

Similarly, while developing countries must also fulfill their respective commitments, of course commensurate with their capabilities and national development circumstances, the international community must assist developing countries through removing all obstacles for the effective implementation of the commitments of developing States.

In this context, unilateral sanctions are among the main barriers that seriously impede the capabilities of a number of developing countries like Iran to positively contribute to addressing climate change challenges.

Despite these pressing challenges, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken the necessary measures to face the challenges posed by climate change and has developed plans and programs to move towards a low carbon economy.

Nevertheless, the unilateral sanctions, imposed on Iran primarily by the United States, have not only prevented our access to necessary financial resources and technological means but have also adversely affected the effective use of our national capacities to carry out our respective undertakings. Such unlawful and inhumane sanctions, which are in flagrant violation of international law, must come to an immediate end.

Despite existing differences among States on certain aspects of climate change, there is a clear-cut consensus at the international level that new and climate-friendly technologies can play a significant role in mitigating the risks associated with the challenge.

However, due to a host of barriers, transfer of climate-friendly technologies to developing countries is far short of what is needed. This alarming trend is inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations, one of which, according to Article 1(3) of its Charter, is “To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character”.

Accordingly, we call for removing all barriers to, and facilitating of, the transfer of climate-friendly technologies, including knowledge and operating skills, to developing countries.

We also support the arguments that the climate related issues must be considered in their own relevant platforms, namely the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the UNFCCC.

Yet, given that the Security Council obviously lacks the requisite expertise or tools to effectively respond to possible climate-related security risks, its engagement in such issues, which, due to their socio-economic nature, do not fall within the mandate of the Council, also constitutes an encroachment on the prerogatives of other principal organs of the Organization. This is in contradiction with the spirit of the Charter, which must therefore be avoided.

Instead of placing climate change security risks on the agenda of the Council, we must call for the full and effective implementation of relevant commitments by all, particularly developed States, in a responsible manner, and allow relevant platforms to continue considering and properly addressing issues related to climate change. For its part, Iran stands ready to contribute to related efforts in such forums.

I thank you, Mr. President.