Iran26 September, 20262 min read
Abbas Araghchi Says Sustainable Development Needs Peace, International Law, Condemns US-Israeli Aggression
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Sustainable development requires peace and respect for international law. Development must be free from coercion, discrimination, unilateralism and coercive measures.
5 outlets told this the same way.
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Araghchi links peace and development
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that sustainable development is impossible without peace and respect for international law. Araghchi said developing countries face “persistent poverty and hunger, widening inequalities, rising debt burdens, gaps in financing and technology, and growing environmental challenges,” and he said those pressures were intensified by “unilateral coercive measures, acts of aggression and the use of force.”
Araghchi argued that “Developing countries need financial resources, technology, knowledge and cooperation, not more barriers,” and he called for the United Nations to oppose coercive measures. Araghchi condemned the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran as “a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter,” and he said the attacks killed thousands, including women and children, while destroying civilian and vital infrastructure.
Sanctions called economic terrorism
Araghchi said Iran has faced unilateral coercive measures for decades and that they “have intensified over recent years and months,” while he linked them to restrictions on trade, financial resources, medicine, technology, education and scientific cooperation. Araghchi described the impact on ordinary people as “economic terrorism,” and he said “The United Nations must stand against such coercive measures and call for their complete and unconditional lifting.”
Araghchi also cited sites hit during the attacks, including a primary school in the southern city of Minab where 168 students were killed, and he said places representing “education, health and hope” have been turned into scenes of “blood, death and destruction.” Araghchi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision in launching the Global Development Initiative in 2021 and said the initiative has promoted cooperation in poverty reduction, food security, development financing, green development, industrialization and the digital economy.
Global Development Initiative and multilateralism
Araghchi said Iran remains committed to the UN Charter, sovereign equality, the right to development and genuine multilateralism, and he said “Development must never be held hostage to coercion, discrimination, political agendas or unilateralism.” Araghchi said Tehran is ready to work with China, members of the Global Development Initiative and other partners to strengthen the development pillar of the United Nations, expand South-South cooperation, consolidate genuine multilateralism and advance the goals and principles of the UN Charter.
In parallel, the Partners for multilateralism, international law, peace and prosperity summit said signatories reaffirmed that the multilateral system founded on the United Nations Charter remains indispensable, but that it should be renewed and reformed to be more effective, representative, inclusive and fit for purpose. The EEAS text said leaders will work together to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions to ensure they can prevent conflict, respond to crises, deliver sustainable development, promote fair trade, protect human rights and the rule of law.