We expect the United Nations to work in line with its responsibility to bring countries together and solve global challenges without interfering in political issues.
DOE reports--Ali Salajegheh met the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Development Office in Asia and the Pacific. Referring to the environmental characteristics of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said "We as one of the members of the United Nations, strive to establish peaceful coexistence in all corners of the world. Our country has had successful experiences of cooperation with various departments of the United Nations, and many of these achievements can be generalized to other parts of the world. Despite these favorable cooperations, sometimes our cooperations are affected by other issues that are not acceptable. For example, in some meetings, we come across the issue that due to the existence of international sanctions against our country, joint cooperation is not possible."
He mentioned the bad faith of some international groups, including the European Union, in the field of financial aid to the Hamon revival project as examples of this issue and clarified, "The European Union financially supported this project under the pretext of these irrational sanctions. Nevertheless, we will not allow the bitterness of our compatriots to increase due to these bad promises, and we will use all the domestic capacities to complete this project."
He considered climate change to be an international issue that has affected all countries, and said, "Incorrect exploitation of nature and climate change have caused us to witness an increase in environmental migrations in the world in addition to reducing the wildlife population."
Referring to some environmental problems with neighboring countries, Vice President considered the United Nations to be a suitable authority to help manage these challenges. "Iran has prioritized the issue of environmental diplomacy in its programs and believes that it is possible to create conditions for political issues to be discussed in the form of environmental discourse. We expect the United Nations to work in line with its responsibility to bring countries together and solve global challenges without interfering in political issues."
He appreciated the assistance of the United Nations in holding the regional meeting of environment ministers last year. "Iran will use all its capacities to hold this international event as grandly as possible, and we ask the international community to support us both materially and spiritually."
Referring to this year's meeting of RAPMI ministers in Tehran, he asked the United Nations to support the Tehran Convention for the Protection of the North Sea Environment and RAPMI for the Protection of the Environment of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
According to Selajgeh, the international marine research center will soon be established on Hormuz Island.
He also announced the readiness of our country to cooperate with the countries of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea to take samples from the depths of these water areas.
The Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and the head of the United Nations Development Office in Asia and the Pacific referred to the long-term cooperation of this office with Iran, ans said, "Our relationship has always been a strong one and no external factor can prevent the continuation of this cooperation."
She stated that the policy of UNDP is to support the prosperity and development of countries along with the protection of natural resources and the environment. "We have cooperated with Iran in the areas of water, waste and wetlands."
The Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations clarified, "Wetlands are one of the sources of creating many job opportunities. Besides, they are one of the biggest carbon absorbers and can be managed by relying on knowledge and innovation."
Announcing the support of the United Nations to Iran's plan to deal with dust storms, she expressed hope that this organization would be able to play a useful and effective role in the issue of water and the problems that exist between neighboring countries.
The head of the United Nations Development Office in Asia and the Pacific, referring to the termination of the European Union's financial support for the Hamoun project, said: "If the world sees that, despite the international sanctions, UNDP continues its cooperation with Iran."