Statement by

Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani

Second Secretary

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

Before the Third Committee of the 77th Session of the General Assembly

On Agenda Items 69 (b): “Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur

 on Hazardous”

New York, 21 October 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Thank you, Madam. Chair,

My delegation thanks the special rapporteur for the briefing.

Indigenous peoples face a grave threat to their health, lands, and territories from exposure to hazardous substances and wastes. Colonialism has imposed profit-centered activities that blatantly ignore the health and welfare of indigenous peoples and their lands. Today, the new colonizers are dressed in the attires of mining, oil and gas, and agri-business, often with States’ overt or silent complicity.

We believe that current approaches to managing the risks posed by pollution and toxic substances are failing, resulting in widespread violations of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

We welcome the points by the SR that addressing the toxic violence against indigenous peoples is imperative for their survival, self-determination, and cultural autonomy. The effective realization of indigenous peoples’ rights requires respect, protection, and fulfillment of their right to a healthy environment, including their right not to be exposed to toxic and hazardous substances.

We would suggest that the Special Rapporteur precisely monitor the transfer of polluting industries and toxic wastes, especially the electronic waste of technology, especially from developed countries to other countries, and provide applicable guidelines to regulate the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes to ensure such wastes are managed and disposed of, in an environmentally sound manner.

To conclude, an emerging threat to sustainable development is the emergence and application of economic terrorism. Unjustifiable and unfair economic coercive measures that have been imposed upon my country have targeted the well-being and health of our citizens. Among others, such measures have seriously constrained access to and transfer of relevant technologies and equipment, necessary for our national mitigation and adaptation efforts as well as air quality improvement.

I thank you Madam. Chair