Illegal sanctions against nations run counter to UN Charter and Sustainable Development Goals

“Fifty years have passed since the world’s first major environmental event, the Stockholm Human Environment Conference,” said Ali Selajgeh, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi, Kenya. The establishment of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as the main coordinating body for environmental activities has played an important role in identifying and analyzing challenges related to the natural and human environment, developing plans and agreements, and promoting environmental knowledge and information. Concluding several well-known multilateral environmental agreements.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency added: “Along with global development and progress, my government has taken important steps since the establishment of the United Nations Environment Program in 1972 to change the structure of the OECD to the ‘Environmental Protection Agency.’ The year (2022) is also the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the “Environmental Protection Organization” of Iran as the highest regulatory body and policy maker to improve, protect and manage the country’s environment.

He further referred to a number of national and international environmental measures of Iran in the past fifty years to promote the environment, reflecting environmental values ​​and standards in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the fiftieth principle (protection of the environment as a public duty for the present generation and Future), criminalizing environmental degradation and pollution by directly citing the three principles of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the environment, protection of endangered animals and plants, including the Asian cheetah, and increasing the size of protected natural areas, enacting and implementing national waste management regulations. These include taking into account the prevention and control of environmental hazards and land use planning in the five-year national development plans and Iran’s accession to most multilateral environmental agreements.

Selajgeh stated: “Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran has faced many challenges and problems during these years, including imposed war and unilateral illegal sanctions, which have led to economic challenges and have had their effects on environmental protection as a vital element of human life.”

The Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran added: “Illegal and inhumane economic sanctions against nations, along with their negative consequences on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights and the development plan of countries, are in clear contradiction with the spirit of the UN Charter and the content of sustainable development goals.” Sanctions have hampered timely and cost-effective access to the goods and technologies needed to ensure the ecosystem’s sound management and recovery.

He stressed: “Multilateralism, peace and cooperation in today’s world, along with the observance of justice and equality, is a definite necessity to improve the healthy environment for all.” As the Holy Quran says: “Valesma, the comments and status of al-Mizan, Ally al-Mizan, al-Al-Muzan, and the provinces of the province of Ravizari al-Mizan, and the Surah Al-Rahman Version 7-9)
“And He raised the heavens, and set the measure and the law (in it), so that you do not rebel in the measure (and do not deviate from the path of justice), and establish the weight according to justice and do not reduce the measure!”

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency stated: “Since the environmental challenges such as water crisis, increasing sandstorms and dust storms as a cross-border issue and increasing the direct effects of climate change due to indirect economic sanctions are increasing, the Islamic Republic of Iran is cooperating with member countries.” And welcomes international organizations to improve and enhance the environment and human well-being.

At the end, he expressed his gratitude to the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the people and government of the Republic of Kenya for the excellent hosting of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Program.
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