Iran
1
Please check against delivery
Statement by
H.E. Mr. Eshagh Al Habib
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to The
United Nations
At the general debate of the
United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development
(New York, 9 June 2017)
*************************
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson,
for his initiative and his support for implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. I
would also like to thank the Co-Presidents of the Conference, Sweden and Fiji, for their
outstanding leadership.
The Conference is of great opportunity to assess challenges, identify opportunities and actions,
as well as to strengthen partnerships to advance the implementation of SDG 14 on oceans and
seas.
Bearing in mind the tremendous impact of oceans and marine recourses on our lives as well as
the greatness and urgency of the challenges that these environments face, we believe that the
following points remain to be critically important for realizing the SDG 14:
First: Raising awareness at all levels to alter this perception that ocean is an infinite source of
food and a dumping ground and also to develop comprehensive strategies to further public
knowledge on the ocean and its importance for sustainable development.
Second: taking ambitious actions to sustain and conserve the ocean for future generations,
preventing its exploitation, contamination and other harmful activities that impair its
irreplaceable role in the Planet. It is imperative that the actions taken for the conservation and
sustainable use of the Ocean are guided by the Agenda 2030, especially by the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities.
2
Third: The preservation of the ocean depends solely on our actions. In order to ensure that all
countries are able to implement the goal and its targets, developed countries must take the lead in
addressing the challenges of the ocean and in providing support by enhancing the capabilities of
countries that are unable to engage in the implementation of SDG 14. In other words, the
ambitious objectives of Agenda 2030 should be facilitated by ambitious, fully inclusive and nondiscriminatory
provision of means of implementation for all developing countries and taking into
account the comprehensive-integrated implementation of Agenda 2030, its universality and the
link with SDG 17.
Forth: The long-term protection and sustainable management of the Ocean's health is critical to
build the resilience of ocean ecosystems. The Oceans Conference represents a timely and
appropriate platform to reaffirm the importance of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as an
essential international tool to tackle this global challenge to our planet and our future. The Paris
Agreement, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
as a global response to the threat of climate change is of utmost importance in this regard and
closely linked to the implementation of SDG 14.
Mr. President:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is blessed with three water bodies: the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman,
and Caspian Sea. Hence, marine environment and marine resources are vital in our everyday life.
we are facing many challenges to our marine and coastal ecosystems such as: oil pollution, land
reclamation, urban and industrial pollution, frequent occurrences of Harmful Algal Bloom, overexploitation
of aquatic bio-resources, mass mortality of marine life, invasive alien species,
declined environmental status, declined biodiversity, dust storm, natural disasters, sea level rise,
and climate change.
Mr. President:
The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues a strategic approach towards sustainable
development, and despite various challenges and constraints, including unfair restrictions and
sanctions, has set out a transitional course to achieving sustainable development objectives.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has put much effort in implementing the SDG14. There have been
numerous domestic policies and actions. Allow me to highlight some of the actions taken by my
government:
In November 2015, long-term policies for protection of environment were endorsed at
the highest level. This set of policies is a clear demonstration of our commitment and
determination towards the conservation of environment and sustainable use of natural
resources.
3
The Islamic Republic of Iran will present its first national sustainable development report
in this coming HLPF. This will be done in line with our Sustainable Development
priorities, including goal 14.
In addition to the national Sixth Development Plan which includes national policies for
the implementation of the SDGs, another three important national plans which have
direct relevance to the SDG14 were developed in early 2017. These are the “Marine
Development Plan”, “Marine Technology Development Plan” and “Marine Ecotourism
Plan”.
Moreover, we plan to develop and implement conservation and sustainable management
plan of fisheries resources and their habitats by 2020 and intend to complete studies,
introduce and promote the protection level of sixteen areas where have the potential for
being considered as coastal and marine protected area by March 2025
On the climate adaptation, Iran is implementing various green economy activities in full
coherence with its National Adaptation Plan, NAP, under the general policies of resilient
economy.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite various challenges and unfair
restrictions and sanctions, has also set out a transitional course to achieve a robust low
carbon and green economy for Iran. In its INDC, Iran has announced its readiness to
mitigate its GHGs emission comparing with the business as usual scenario, subject to
termination of all sanctions, access to financial resources and the required technologies.
Let me conclude, by emphasizing that Goal 14 of the SDGs is of great importance to the Islamic
Republic of Iran. We will continue to contribute to its successful and effective implementation.
Accordingly, Iran welcomes cooperation and partnership in the implementation of this global
goal which could eventually benefit all of us especially at regional and sub regional levels. Mr.
President, the Persian Gulf sub-region with all its geopolitical significance is confronting serious
environmental challenges. It is in dire need of attention and as such offers a viable platform for
development of serious regional cooperation.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
Please check against delivery
Statement by
H.E. Mr. Eshagh Al Habib
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to The
United Nations
At the general debate of the
United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for
sustainable development
(New York, 9 June 2017)
*************************
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson,
for his initiative and his support for implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. I
would also like to thank the Co-Presidents of the Conference, Sweden and Fiji, for their
outstanding leadership.
The Conference is of great opportunity to assess challenges, identify opportunities and actions,
as well as to strengthen partnerships to advance the implementation of SDG 14 on oceans and
seas.
Bearing in mind the tremendous impact of oceans and marine recourses on our lives as well as
the greatness and urgency of the challenges that these environments face, we believe that the
following points remain to be critically important for realizing the SDG 14:
First: Raising awareness at all levels to alter this perception that ocean is an infinite source of
food and a dumping ground and also to develop comprehensive strategies to further public
knowledge on the ocean and its importance for sustainable development.
Second: taking ambitious actions to sustain and conserve the ocean for future generations,
preventing its exploitation, contamination and other harmful activities that impair its
irreplaceable role in the Planet. It is imperative that the actions taken for the conservation and
sustainable use of the Ocean are guided by the Agenda 2030, especially by the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities.
2
Third: The preservation of the ocean depends solely on our actions. In order to ensure that all
countries are able to implement the goal and its targets, developed countries must take the lead in
addressing the challenges of the ocean and in providing support by enhancing the capabilities of
countries that are unable to engage in the implementation of SDG 14. In other words, the
ambitious objectives of Agenda 2030 should be facilitated by ambitious, fully inclusive and nondiscriminatory
provision of means of implementation for all developing countries and taking into
account the comprehensive-integrated implementation of Agenda 2030, its universality and the
link with SDG 17.
Forth: The long-term protection and sustainable management of the Ocean's health is critical to
build the resilience of ocean ecosystems. The Oceans Conference represents a timely and
appropriate platform to reaffirm the importance of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as an
essential international tool to tackle this global challenge to our planet and our future. The Paris
Agreement, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
as a global response to the threat of climate change is of utmost importance in this regard and
closely linked to the implementation of SDG 14.
Mr. President:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is blessed with three water bodies: the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman,
and Caspian Sea. Hence, marine environment and marine resources are vital in our everyday life.
we are facing many challenges to our marine and coastal ecosystems such as: oil pollution, land
reclamation, urban and industrial pollution, frequent occurrences of Harmful Algal Bloom, overexploitation
of aquatic bio-resources, mass mortality of marine life, invasive alien species,
declined environmental status, declined biodiversity, dust storm, natural disasters, sea level rise,
and climate change.
Mr. President:
The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran pursues a strategic approach towards sustainable
development, and despite various challenges and constraints, including unfair restrictions and
sanctions, has set out a transitional course to achieving sustainable development objectives.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has put much effort in implementing the SDG14. There have been
numerous domestic policies and actions. Allow me to highlight some of the actions taken by my
government:
In November 2015, long-term policies for protection of environment were endorsed at
the highest level. This set of policies is a clear demonstration of our commitment and
determination towards the conservation of environment and sustainable use of natural
resources.
3
The Islamic Republic of Iran will present its first national sustainable development report
in this coming HLPF. This will be done in line with our Sustainable Development
priorities, including goal 14.
In addition to the national Sixth Development Plan which includes national policies for
the implementation of the SDGs, another three important national plans which have
direct relevance to the SDG14 were developed in early 2017. These are the “Marine
Development Plan”, “Marine Technology Development Plan” and “Marine Ecotourism
Plan”.
Moreover, we plan to develop and implement conservation and sustainable management
plan of fisheries resources and their habitats by 2020 and intend to complete studies,
introduce and promote the protection level of sixteen areas where have the potential for
being considered as coastal and marine protected area by March 2025
On the climate adaptation, Iran is implementing various green economy activities in full
coherence with its National Adaptation Plan, NAP, under the general policies of resilient
economy.
Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite various challenges and unfair
restrictions and sanctions, has also set out a transitional course to achieve a robust low
carbon and green economy for Iran. In its INDC, Iran has announced its readiness to
mitigate its GHGs emission comparing with the business as usual scenario, subject to
termination of all sanctions, access to financial resources and the required technologies.
Let me conclude, by emphasizing that Goal 14 of the SDGs is of great importance to the Islamic
Republic of Iran. We will continue to contribute to its successful and effective implementation.
Accordingly, Iran welcomes cooperation and partnership in the implementation of this global
goal which could eventually benefit all of us especially at regional and sub regional levels. Mr.
President, the Persian Gulf sub-region with all its geopolitical significance is confronting serious
environmental challenges. It is in dire need of attention and as such offers a viable platform for
development of serious regional cooperation.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
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