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22 October 2026
FAO Representative highlights fisheries and livestock sector’s role in food security, rural development
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Story
21 October 2026
Refugee Children’s Artwork Raises Support for WFP in Tehran
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Speech
13 October 2026
UN Secretary-General Message for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
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Latest
Publication
01 February 2023
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for I.R.Iran 2023 - 2027
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2023-2027 was developed jointly between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Nations System to reflect and support the national development goals and strategies. Starting in 2021, the United Nations Country Team in Iran engaged in consultations internally and with a wide range of national partners that identified the evidence base to prioritize development needs and opportunities for the UNSDCF. These consultations resulted in the vision for United Nations support to Iran’s development that is based on equitable, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth and development. Five strategic priorities that guide the work of the United Nations System in Iran in the coming years were identified: (a) socio-economic resilience; (b) public health; (c) environment; (d) disaster risk reduction and management; and (e) impacts of drug use and drug trafficking.
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Publication
27 October 2025
United Nations Iran Country Results Report - 2024
Amid the global, regional and domestic challenges in 2024, the United Nations remained committed to supporting the people of Iran. The two largest areas of the United Nations programme interventions were health and support to refugees and host communities. The United Nations also provided impactful programme interventions in socioeconomic resilience, environment, disaster risk reduction and drug control.
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Publication
30 October 2024
United Nations Iran Country Results Report - 2023
Throughout 2023, the UN family in Iran supported the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in delivering on its development plans and in the success of critical initiatives.
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Publication
15 August 2024
United Nations Iran Country Results Report - 2022
This report lays out the UN’s collective contribution to Iran’s development and humanitarian goals, including under the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (2017-2022).
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Story
22 October 2026
FAO Representative highlights fisheries and livestock sector’s role in food security, rural development
Tehran, 18 October 2026 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Farrukh Toirov, has underscored the strategic importance of the livestock and poultry sector for the country’s food security, rural employment and agricultural economy, emphasizing the need to promote sustainable development through innovation, stronger animal health services and the conservation of indigenous livestock genetic resources.The FAO Representative made these remarks during a speech at the 25th International Exhibition of Livestock, Poultry and Related Industries, held in Tehran on 18 October 2026.Highlighting the Islamic Republic of Iran’s technical capacities, research institutions and private sector expertise in livestock and poultry production, the Representative described the exhibition as an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge and promote innovative solutions to improve productivity and resilience across livestock production systems.According to the FAO Representative, meeting the growing demand for nutritious animal-source foods requires improvements in production efficiency, animal health, feed-use efficiency, food safety and environmental sustainability. The Representative also identified water scarcity, rangeland degradation, feed availability and costs, and animal diseases as major challenges facing the sector.Referring to FAO’s longstanding cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad and national technical and research institutions, the Representative highlighted the conservation and sustainable development of endangered indigenous livestock genetic resources as an important area of ongoing collaboration.In this context, FAO is implementing a Technical Cooperation Programme project focused on valuable indigenous breeds, including Bactrian camels, Sarabi cattle, Mahabadi goats and Markhoz goats. The project aims to strengthen conservation approaches, promote community-based breeding programmes and support the livelihoods of livestock keepers.Indigenous livestock breeds represent valuable genetic resources because of their adaptation to local climatic and environmental conditions. Their conservation not only contributes to agricultural biodiversity but also strengthens the resilience of livestock production systems under challenging environmental conditions, preserving options for future livestock development.FAO has also previously supported the conservation of Bactrian camels in the Islamic Republic of Iran and introduced mobile livestock biotechnology and reproductive services for livestock keepers in the country’s northwestern regions through its technical cooperation initiatives. These experiences provide a foundation for expanding community-based livestock services, improving access to specialized technical support and strengthening the productive capacities and livelihoods of rural and pastoral communities.The FAO Representative also emphasized that animal health is a fundamental pillar of food security, public health and sustainable production. The One Health approach, which addresses risks at the human–animal–environment interface, is essential to tackling zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Strengthening veterinary services, surveillance and early warning systems, biosecurity measures and the responsible use of antimicrobials was identified as critical to reducing economic losses, protecting livestock productivity and safeguarding public health.In a further part of the address, the Representative referred to FAO’s emergency support for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s fisheries sector following the impacts of the recent armed conflict. The emergency Technical Cooperation Programme project aims to restore essential fishing capacities, support affected coastal communities and strengthen household food security and livelihoods, particularly in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan and Hormozgan.Referring to the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, with FAO serving as the lead agency, the Representative highlighted the importance of sustainable rangeland management, agricultural biodiversity conservation and support for pastoral communities.Concluding the address, the FAO Representative called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, research centres, producers and the private sector, linking the future of livestock and poultry production to the theme of World Food Day 2026, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.” The Representative stressed that combining scientific innovation with traditional knowledge and locally adapted solutions can improve productivity, enhance nutrition, protect the environment and strengthen rural livelihoods.
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Story
21 October 2026
Refugee Children’s Artwork Raises Support for WFP in Tehran
Tehran, Iran – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is bringing the creativity, resilience and hopes of refugee children to the public through an art exhibition hosted at two well-known venues in Tehran.The exhibition features paintings created by refugee children living in 20 settlements across Iran, offering visitors a glimpse into their dreams, perspectives and experiences. Each artwork tells a unique story, highlighting the creativity and determination of children who continue to pursue their aspirations despite the challenges they face.The artworks are being displayed at Haman Store, a prominent concept store located on in central Tehran, and Prague Pastry Boutique, an established Tehran brand with four branches across the city and a newly introduced concept store. Both venues are recognized for their distinctive approach to art, design and community engagement, providing opportunities to introduce the children's artwork to a wider audience.Beyond celebrating artistic expression, the initiative also aims to mobilize support for WFP's humanitarian operations in Iran. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase the paintings, with proceeds contributing to WFP programmes supporting vulnerable communities, including refugee children and conflict-impacted members of the host community.These programmes include school-based assistance, cash transfers and food support, helping families meet their essential needs while promoting children's well-being and access to education.WFP currently provides humanitarian assistance to approximately 60,000 people across Iran, including refugees and vulnerable members of host communities affected by the recent escalation.Through this initiative, WFP seeks to connect the public with the stories of refugee children, celebrate their artistic talents and demonstrate how creativity and community engagement can contribute to humanitarian action.Both exhibitions will remain open to visitors until Friday, 23 October 2026.
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12 October 2026
FAO visits date palm grooves in Kerman to strengthen pest management and protect production
Kerman, 11 October 2026 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) visited date palm grooves in Kerman Province to strengthen the management of pests and diseases through technical cooperation, field-based interventions and engagement with national and provincial stakeholders.From 11 to 14 October, an FAO delegation led by FAO Representative to Iran Farrukh Toirov visited project sites in Jiroft, Anbarabad, Bam and Narmashir to review progress on integrated Pest Management (IPM) in date palm groves. The mission assessed the application of project-supported interventions, examined the use of equipment provided to pilot sites and engaged with farmers, researchers, plant protection specialists, agricultural authorities and private-sector stakeholders across the date value chain.The project addresses key threats to date production, including the red palm weevil, palm borers, Dubas bug and Date Palm Fruit Bunch Wilting Disorder. During field visits, the team observed pest management interventions in both modern, large-scale orchards using drip irrigation and traditional orchards employing flood irrigation. The delegation also examined orchards affected by pest infestations and visited date sorting, packaging and processing facilities serving domestic and export markets. The mission also provided an opportunity to discuss current pest control practices and explore potential approaches to improving the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions. Discussions with stakeholders highlighted the red palm weevil as one of the most significant challenges facing date production in the province. Meetings held at the South Kerman Agricultural Jihad Organization and the Bam County Governor’s Office brought together local governors, agricultural authorities, researchers, farmers and private-sector representatives to discuss pest management, production challenges and constraints affecting the date value chain, including the control measures and access to export markets.The FAO Representative welcomed the strong engagement and shared commitment demonstrated by stakeholders in Kerman, noting that their collaboration provides a favourable foundation for expanding technical cooperation.Through this project, FAO continues to work with national and provincial counterparts to strengthen technical capacities and promote more effective management of date palm pests and diseases. The project’s field-based approach supports the assessment of practical interventions under local production conditions and helps identify opportunities to protect date palm grooves, reduce pest-related losses and strengthen the sustainability of date production in Iran.
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05 October 2026
FAO strengthens national capacity to protect Iran’s date palm sector from pests and diseases
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is strengthening national and provincial capacities to prevent, detect and manage key pests and diseases affecting date palm production in the Islamic Republic of Iran, supporting healthier orchards, reduced production losses and more sustainable livelihoods for date-producing communities.This support will be advanced through a newly signed Letter of Agreement between FAO and the Agricultural Education and Extension Institute (AEEI) under FAO’s project “Technical Assistance to Improve Integrated Pest Management of Key Date Palm Insect Pests and Diseases”. The agreement was signed today in Tehran and will enable a multi-provincial capacity-development programme targeting approximately 1,720 farmers, agricultural extension officers and technical staff across nine provinces.The ceremony was attended by Mr Golmohammadi, Deputy Minister of Agriculture.“Strengthening the capacity of farmers and agricultural extension services is essential to ensuring that pest and disease management measures are effective, timely and sustainable,” said FAO Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Farrukh Toirov. “Through this cooperation, FAO is supporting the application of science-based and environmentally responsible approaches that can help protect date palm production, reduce losses and strengthen the livelihoods that depend on this important sector.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the world’s leading date-producing countries, producing approximately 1.3 million tonnes of dates annually. Date palms are cultivated across around 260,000 hectares, with an estimated 40 million trees nationwide. Date production provides an important source of income and employment for farming families and rural communities, particularly in southern and central provinces, while also supporting a wider value chain encompassing harvesting, processing, packaging, transportation, trade and export.The health and productivity of date palm orchards are therefore closely linked to the resilience of rural livelihoods and the competitiveness of the date sector. Pest and disease outbreaks can reduce yields and fruit quality, increase production costs and contribute to economic losses for farmers and other actors across the value chain.“Through this initiative, FAO is supporting efforts to improve the management of major threats to date palm production, including the Red Palm Weevil, date palm borers, Dubas bug and important date palm diseases and disorders. The project focuses on strengthening surveillance, monitoring and early detection, while promoting effective, innovative and environmentally responsible Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Disease Management approaches,” Mr Toirov stated.The newly signed Letter of Agreement will translate these objectives into practical capacity development in the field. Under the agreement, training activities will be carried out in Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman, Hormozgan, Fars, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Yazd, South Khorasan and Isfahan provinces.The programme will strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in identifying pests and diseases, conducting surveillance and monitoring, recognizing threats at an early stage and applying appropriate integrated management measures. For farmers, improved knowledge of early signs of pest and disease incidence can support timely action and help prevent damage from becoming more severe. For extension officers and technical staff, strengthened capacities can support more effective field-level advice, monitoring and response.By bringing technical knowledge and practical training closer to farmers and field-level agricultural professionals, the programme aims to support the wider application of integrated pest and disease management practices across major date-producing areas.“The cooperation is expected to contribute to healthier date palm orchards, reduced production and economic losses, stronger farmer livelihoods and improved quality and competitiveness of Iranian dates in domestic and international markets.Through the Letter of Agreement, FAO and its national partners are investing in the capacities, knowledge and institutions needed to support a more resilient and sustainable date palm sector in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Mr Toirov concluded.
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Story
19 August 2026
UN Secretary-General Message on World Humanitarian Day 2026
On World Humanitarian Day, we honour the dedicated workers who provide life-saving aid to millions in need.
We also confront an appalling truth:
Serving others has become more dangerous than ever.
More than a thousand humanitarians have been killed in the last three years.
Most were local staff supporting their own communities.
Countless others narrowly survived being shot at, shelled, bombed, kidnapped, or raped.
Schools and hospitals are coming under fire.
And new tools of war – including armed drones – are posing fresh risks.
At the same time, disinformation is eroding trust.
Humanitarian funding is being cut.
And humanitarian access is being restricted.
We see aid convoys blocked.
Aid workers threatened, arrested, and detained.
And people in desperate need left without support.
Attacks on humanitarian workers are illegal.
And the consequences are devastating.
For families struggling to survive.
Children waiting for food.
Patients seeking urgent care.
And so many more.
The world has made commitments.
Now it must act:
To respect the rules of war;
Ensure safe access;
Hold perpetrators accountable;
And provide sufficient resources.
Humanitarian workers stand up for people in need.
We must stand up for them.
We must act for humanity – now.
We also confront an appalling truth:
Serving others has become more dangerous than ever.
More than a thousand humanitarians have been killed in the last three years.
Most were local staff supporting their own communities.
Countless others narrowly survived being shot at, shelled, bombed, kidnapped, or raped.
Schools and hospitals are coming under fire.
And new tools of war – including armed drones – are posing fresh risks.
At the same time, disinformation is eroding trust.
Humanitarian funding is being cut.
And humanitarian access is being restricted.
We see aid convoys blocked.
Aid workers threatened, arrested, and detained.
And people in desperate need left without support.
Attacks on humanitarian workers are illegal.
And the consequences are devastating.
For families struggling to survive.
Children waiting for food.
Patients seeking urgent care.
And so many more.
The world has made commitments.
Now it must act:
To respect the rules of war;
Ensure safe access;
Hold perpetrators accountable;
And provide sufficient resources.
Humanitarian workers stand up for people in need.
We must stand up for them.
We must act for humanity – now.
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Press Release
26 July 2026
European Union Strengthens Support to WFP Assistance for Vulnerable Refugees and Conflict-Affected People in Iran
TEHRAN, Iran – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a EUR 3.08 million contribution from the European Union (EU) to support vulnerable refugees and conflict-affected people in Iran, helping sustain life-saving assistance over 12 months.This contribution will enable WFP to maintain food security support for populations facing increased economic pressures and humanitarian needs, helping families meet their essential needs and protect their well-being.Iran hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, the majority from Afghanistan. With support from the European Union and other partners, WFP provides food assistance to over 35,000 of the most vulnerable refugees across 20 settlements, including cash-based transfers, school feeding programmes and livelihood support.“Many vulnerable families in Iran are facing growing economic pressures that threaten their ability to put food on the table,” said Mayssa Alghribawy, WFP Representative in Iran. “Thanks to the support of the European Union, WFP can continue providing critical assistance that not only meets immediate needs but also helps strengthen resilience over time.”The contribution will also support WFP’s assistance to conflict-affected Iranians, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those most in need in a timely, principled and needs-based manner.Through its partnership with the European Union, WFP provides monthly cash assistance to vulnerable households, enabling families to purchase food from local markets based on their needs and preferences, while supporting local economic activity.The European Union is a longstanding partner of WFP, and its support in Iran plays a vital role in enabling the organization to maintain operations and respond to evolving humanitarian needs. With this contribution, WFP plans to reach 52,000 (17,000 Iranians and 35,000 refugees) ensuring continued access to food assistance for vulnerable communities across the country.
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Press Release
12 May 2026
WHO Launches $2 Million Emergency Intervention to Prevent Disease Outbreaks and Sustain Essential Health Services in Islamic Republic of Iran
Since 28 February 2026, aerial bombardments have critically undermined Iran’s capacity to deliver life-saving health services. The toll on civilian health infrastructure has been devastating, with an estimated 229 healthcare centers, 49 hospitals, 78 pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, warehouses damaged, 56 emergency bases struck, nine hospitals evacuated, and 47 ambulances and 10 support vehicles destroyed. Furthermore, attacks on or near pharmaceutical and diagnostic production facilities have severely disrupted domestic medical supply chains, interrupting the delivery of critical care to those who need it most.Simultaneously, southern Iran faces an elevated public health emergency driven by climatic shocks. Irregular and intermittently above-average rainfall following prolonged dry periods during the 2025–2026 season has triggered localized flooding and standing water. High-risk provinces, including Sistan and Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Kerman, and Khuzestan, are experiencing increased exposure to contaminated water sources. Combined with conflict-related disruptions to water, sanitation, and disease surveillance infrastructure, there is a significantly heightened risk of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, particularly cholera and acute watery diarrhea."The combined weight of ongoing conflict and severe climatic shocks has placed an unprecedented strain on Iran's health infrastructure, leaving vulnerable communities at severe risk," said Dr Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative and Head of Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran. " This timely and critical emergency response is instrumental in preventing further health system collapse. It allows us to act immediately to safeguard essential supply chains and ensure that life-saving care remains accessible to the populations most acutely affected by this crisis."Without urgent action, localized transmission could rapidly escalate into widespread outbreaks, causing preventable morbidity and mortality. To catalyze an immediate response, WHO is deploying a focused package of high-impact interventions. This strategy prioritizes strengthening early warning surveillance systems and pre-positioning priority outbreak response commodities, including rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, dengue, and cholera. The intervention also encompasses the distribution of insecticidal nets, spraying equipment, and larvicides, alongside rapid technical assistance to reinforce integrated vector management in high-risk districts. Furthermore, WHO is restoring vital testing capacity by replacing destroyed real-time polymerase chain reaction devices and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines, including immediate malaria treatment."With standing water from recent floods and severe damage to local health facilities, the risk of disease outbreaks is dangerously high," stated Dr Mikiko Senga, the WHO Health Emergency Programme Lead at the WHO Country Office in Iran. "By rapidly deploying these diagnostic tools, vector control materials, and essential treatments, we are augmenting our early warning capacities to intercept these threats before they escalate into wider public health emergencies."Over the next six months, this intervention will directly benefit an estimated 112,500 people through augmented epidemic control and restored medical access. At least an additional 272,550 people will be protected indirectly through strengthened response capacities and reduced outbreak risks. Ultimately, this comprehensive effort is designed to avert avoidable outbreaks and sustain the vital flow of essential health services when they are needed most.
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Press Release
20 March 2026
Statement by the UN in Iran on the occasion of Nowruz
The UN condemns the military escalation which is causing immense suffering and harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure – including to health facilities, schools, homes and sites of unique cultural heritage within Iran. The UN is saddened by the loss of life and offer our condolences to families and loved ones.We reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for the protection of civilians, the immediate cessation of hostilities, and full adherence to international law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.In the year ahead, the UN in Iran will continue its work in support of the people of Iran and the refugee communities it hosts. We hope that this Nowruz may be a turning point to bring peace to the people of Iran and the region.***********************For further information please contact United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran:Unic-tehran@un.org
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Press Release
06 January 2026
Iran, China, UNAIDS celebrate success of pathfinder HIV project, declare readiness to deepen cooperation.
Iran-Tehran, 06 January 2026 – The Islamic Republic of Iran, the People’s Republic of China, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recently celebrated the successful completion of a pathfinder HIV project, designed to bridge the HIV testing gap in Iran’s national HIV response and generate alternative solutions to ensure a resilient national HIV testing programme in the years to come.This people-centred project combined supply chain, capacity development and knowledge exchange solutions to fill a gap in the testing pillar of Iran’s national HIV response. The project’s USD 655,000 budget was donated by the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), and it was implemented by UNAIDS in close collaboration with the Centre for Communicable Diseases Control (CCDC) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran, the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), with technical support from the China National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention (NCAIDS).The project delivered 570 thousand rapid HIV diagnostic tests to the Ministry of Health, provided capacity development on their utilization, and facilitated knowledge and experience sharing between China and Iran with a view to expanding domestic HIV diagnosis capacity.In an event in December 2025 in Tehran, representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and of Health & Medical Education (MOHME) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and the United Nations in I. R Iran came together with members of the Executive Committee of the National AIDS Council and community representatives to celebrate the achievements of this project and to declare their commitment to deeper cooperation in the public health domain.All parties expressed firm commitment to further their development collaboration in this field, to ensure continuity of HIV programme during this period of funding uncertainty in support of the national HIV response, in line with their shared goal of ending AIDS.UNAIDSThe Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Press Release
10 June 2025
Tehran Hosts High-Level UN–Iran Panel on Safeguarding the Zagros Forests
The event, co-hosted by the Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Natural Resources & Watershed Management Organization, the Plan and Budget Organization and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, is the last of seven thematic panels feeding recommendations to the International Conference on Sustainable Zagros Forest Management on 29 June 2025.In his keynote address, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Dr. Kazem Gharibabadi described the Zagros as “a priceless heritage for Iran and the world” and called sustainable forest management “an essential tool to fight climate change, safeguard water resources and ensure prosperity for future generations.” Dr. Gharibabadi added that “the future of the Zagros will profoundly shape the future of our planet. Let us work together for a better planet.” Deputy Foreign Minister Ghariabadi underlined the need for the transfer of technology and financing from developed countries.UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Stefan Priesner, also highlighted the forests’ role as the hydrological backbone of western Iran and called for “environmental financing to become a priority for all stakeholders,” adding that Bakhtiari nomads and other local communities “must be at the centre of conservation efforts. These oak mountains are not just scenic—they are foundational to Iran’s history, culture and future. Protecting them is a shared responsibility.” said the Resident Coordinator. “Without urgent action, we risk losing not only the Zagros forests but the life systems they support.” Covering almost 6 million hectares—about 40 percent of Iran’s total forest area—the Zagros oak woodlands regulate water, prevent soil erosion and support millions of rural livelihoods, yet have shrunk by nearly half in 80 years because of illegal logging, overgrazing and climate change. ***********************For further information please contact United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran:+989121053220Unic-tehran@un.org
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