President Rouhani addressed the Summit on Saturday in New York where he said that the JCPOA prepared the grounds for regional cooperation. In beginning of his speech, Rouhani offered condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the Hajj pilgrims in Mina ritual in Saudi Arabia and their bereaved families and called for strict measures in immediately addressing the possible causes of the incident and carrying out an investigation to the issue and other similar incidents.
“Environmental problems has taught us humans of the earth that we live in the same boat, and any action by anyone would affect others’ fate as well; welfare and security will not be realized if man leads a life of pleasure without heeding the plight of others. Without extensive cooperation in three levels of local, regional, and global, attaining of the objectives of ‘sustainable development’ will be difficult,” Rouhani told the meeting. “This attainment should be inspired by awareness of a common destiny and commitments in the framework of important human responsibility; common destiny entails common objectives, but would not imply equal responsibilities for all; achieving sustainable development goals post-2015 will not be possible without reminding countries of their responsibility and their share and role in bringing about current environmental conditions,” he added.
“As I said in the Climate Change Summit, the Middle East now faces the disaster of terrorism, extremism, and violence apart from long dry spells and drought; violence against humanity and nature as well are two most important disasters in the Middle East. World against Violence and Extremism two years ago aimed at addressing both disasters,” Rouhani emphasized. “Terrorism has found strong footholds in poor countries hit by environmental crises as well, easily roaming these countries like dusts of pollution,” he further said.
“Terrorist groups undermine ‘sustainable development goals;’ the current situation if continued, will bring more destruction of natural resources. Terrorism and violence have driven out the sustainable development from countries’ agenda, depleting their resources in fighting terrorism; the Islamic Republic of Iran has waged deep efforts and actually does so in attaining of these goals and has actively participated in drafting of development in post-2015, and will be committed to its obligations in local, regional, and international levels,” Rouhani told the meeting.
“My government, as a government committed to environment, has aligned its policies to a balanced approach of economic development and protecting the environment; marked rise in environmental sensitivities among the public, introduction of environmental materials in school curricula, serious review of policies on construction of dams, revival of endangered wetlands and unremitting campaign on reviving drying lakes are only part of the government’s measures in line with sustainable development goals,” he asserted. “During past two years, and after Iran and world powers hit the JCPOA, the grounds had been appropriately laid for international cooperation especially on environment; we welcome diplomatic efforts on environmental issues with the neighbors, and participate in joint scientific research to do our share of work in building more sustainable world and free of environmental threats,” he added.