Media Wire

Iran envoy says US sanctions impede efforts to tackle climate change

Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has said unilateral sanctions act as barriers to the targeted countries’ contributions to global efforts aimed at combating climate change problems. He also demanded an immediate stop to the coercive measures.

Iravani made the remarks in an address to the United Nations Security Council session entitled “Climate Change, Peace and Security” in New York on Tuesday.

“Iran, like other nations, confronts environmental challenges and climate change impacts such as pollution, water scarcity, sand and dust storms, desertification, and biodiversity degradation,” he stated.

“These challenges are worsened by restrictions on accessing foreign goods and services due to unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States,” he said.

Iravani highlighted that illegal US sanctions impede international funding, hinder renewable energy investments as well as access to environmentally sound technology, and restrict joint environmental research and educational opportunities.

“Consequently, environmental degradation in Iran negatively affects the rights of people to a healthy environment and a decent standard of living,” Iran’s UN envoy pointed out.

The senior Iranian diplomat went on to call for an immediate end to the imposition of sanctions, stating that the unilateral coercive measures act as barriers to the targeted countries’ contributions to “climate change mitigation efforts.”

“Economic, financial, and technological assistance should be provided to countries in need, and relevant platforms such as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and the UNFCCC (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) should address these issues appropriately,” Iravani added.

He underlined that the Security Council should refrain from encroaching upon the mandates of other UN bodies, as it lacks the expertise and tools to effectively respond to climate-related security risks.

“Iran firmly opposes the idea of linking climate change to international peace and security and strongly rejects any attempts to politicize technical matters such as climate change,” Iravani underscored.

“Climate change is essentially an issue related to sustainable development rather than a matter of international peace and security,” the Iranian ambassador to the UN said.

Iravani stressed that the issue needs to be addressed and pursued within the appropriate organs of the United Nations, in accordance with their respective mandates.

He stated that developed countries should fulfill their obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and provide sufficient support, including financial assistance and technology transfer, to developing countries and help them effectively implement their commitments.

Developing countries, within their capabilities and national circumstances, should receive assistance from the international community to overcome obstacles hindering the implementation of their commitments, the Iranian envoy noted.

Iravani stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite pressing challenges, is determined to honor its commitments, and is organizing with UN support the “International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms” to be held between September 9 and 10 in Tehran.

“The conference aims to bring together all affected countries and interested partners to discuss the means and ways to address the key challenges posed by sand and dust storms, and to find the best solutions and mechanisms possible for mitigating global risks and impacts,” he added.

IFP Media Wire

Reports and views published in the Media Wire section have been retrieved from other news agencies and websites, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website. The IFP may change the headlines of the reports in a bid to make them compatible with its own style of covering Iran News, and does not make any changes to the content. The source and URL of all reports and news stories are mentioned at the bottom of each article.

Recent Posts

Iran lifts Ban on WhatsApp, Google Play in a landmark decision

In a significant move towards greater digital accessibility, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, chaired by…

7 hours ago

One child gets killed every hour in Gaza: UN

The United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) has announced that 14,500 Palestinian children have…

10 hours ago

Several killed in blast at explosives factory in Turkey

At least 12 people were killed and three others wounded after a blast rocked an…

10 hours ago

Zelensky claims over 3k North Korean soldiers killed, wounded in Russia

The number of killed and injured North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk…

10 hours ago

Iran Judiciary: No complains lodged against ex-FM Zarif over dual citizenship

The spokesperson for Iran’s Judiciary clarified that no complaints have been filed against former Foreign…

10 hours ago

Iran to unveil first AI-equipped oil well

The Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy has announced the inauguration of…

13 hours ago