“Local community participation and synergy between domestic and international experts is key to prevent irreversible environmental destruction and protect this treasure for future generations,” the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iran, Farrukh Toirov said in national event marking the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.Organized by the Department of Environment, the event took place on Saturday, 23 May in Sari, Mazandaran Province. It brought together senior government officials and United Nations representatives, including Shina Ansari, Head of the Department of Environment; FAO Representative in Iran; and Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Iran.This year's event was held under the global theme “Acting locally for global impact” – a message that FAO Representative placed at the center of his address.Biodiversity: not an environmental issue aloneSpeaking at the opening ceremony, Toirov stressed that biodiversity must not be treated as a standalone environmental concern. “Biodiversity is the living foundation of agrifood systems, food security, livelihoods, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable development,” he stated.He highlighted alarming global trends: of more than 6 000 plant species cultivated for food throughout history, fewer than 200 contribute substantially to global food production today – and just nine crop species account for 66% of total global crop production. Toirov also noted that 75% of the world’s most productive crop plants depend at least in part on pollinators, which contribute to roughly 35% of global crop production. “Without biodiversity and ecosystem services, food production itself would be at risk,” he warned.Toirov recognized Iran as a country of significant global biodiversity importance, noting its remarkable climatic, topographic, and ecosystem diversity – home to more than 8 200 plant species, around 197 mammal species, 535 bird species, and globally important and endangered species such as the Asiatic cheetah and the Persian leopard.He underscored, however, that these valuable assets face increasing pressures from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and habitat loss – making strengthened conservation and sustainable management efforts all the more urgent.FAO’s partnership with Iran: local action, global impactThe FAO representative highlighted the breadth of FAO-supported interventions in the Islamic Republic of Iran that contribute – directly or indirectly – to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. These include the conservation of endangered indigenous livestock genetic resources in north-western Iran, such as the Sarabi cattle, the Marakhoz goat, and the Bactrian camel; long-standing engagement in the Lake Urmia Basin to reduce environmental pressures through improved water efficiency; and integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives supported through the Green Climate Fund.“Biodiversity conservation in Iran is inseparable from sustainable agriculture, water security, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, dryland management, and rural livelihoods,” Toirov affirmed.Closing his remarks, Toirov reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to its strong partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing that while FAO and the United Nations system play a key facilitating role – bringing global knowledge, technical expertise, and innovation – the primary leadership rightly rests with national institutions.“Biodiversity action begins locally: in farmers’ fields, in rangelands, in watersheds, in wetlands, in forests, and within communities. But when local action is sustained and coordinated, its impact becomes national – and global,” he concluded.

In just the last month across the Middle East, thousands of civilians have been killed and injured. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many multiple times. The numbers continue to rise and essential services are increasingly difficult to access. Health workers, hospitals and ambulances have been targeted. Schools have been struck. Civilian infrastructure – including bridges, residential buildings, houses, water facilities and power plants – has been destroyed. This leaves us especially concerned about women and children and others with specific needs. Global supply chains are also impacted, with food and fuel prices on the rise.Our humanitarian colleagues have been caught up in the hostilities. This year alone, 14 aid workers have been killed or injured in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, eight in Iran and five in Lebanon. This is an alarming toll, not least for national staff and local organizations, working courageously on the humanitarian front lines every day.We strongly condemn all attacks on civilians, including humanitarian and health workers, as well as civilian objects. We demand that all parties – whether Member States of the United Nations or armed groups – respect their legal obligation to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and civilian infrastructure. All violations must be met with accountability. Even wars have rules, and these rules must be respected.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in close collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), continues to support the strengthening of evidence-based drug treatment services in the Islamic Republic of Iran. As part of these ongoing efforts, a three-day training workshop on “Assessment and Elements of Psychological Treatment for Drug Use Disorders” was held in Tehran from 28 to 30 December 2025, using the UNODC TreatNet Training Package. The workshop was implemented as part of a broader series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the competencies of drug use disorder treatment professionals through the systematic application of the TreatNet framework.The workshop brought together psychologists, counsellors, and treatment professionals from national institutions, including Prisons Organization and MoHME-affiliated services and other relevant organizations involved in treatment, and social support. The training was delivered using the UNODC TreatNet package, which provides standardized, evidence-based guidance for the assessment and treatment of drug use disorders.The three-day agenda was designed to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills development. Participants were introduced to the TreatNet framework and its application in the treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders. Particular emphasis was placed on the logic of screening and the use of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), including brief interventions and their role in early detection and timely referral. Core principles of motivational interviewing were introduced and explored, with a strong focus on their practical application in clinical and counselling settings to enhance client engagement and treatment adherence. Finally, the treatment planning and prioritization, translating assessment results into structured and individualized treatment plans was covered by the training. Participants further explored strategies for putting treatment planning into practice and for supporting patients through the development of new coping and life skills. This training workshop reflects UNODC and its national counterparts’ efforts in combining international expertise with local experience and institutional knowledge. UNODC remains committed to supporting Iran’s efforts to respond to drug use disorders through integrated, person-centred, and scientifically grounded interventions. Such capacity-building initiatives play a critical role in ensuring that treatment systems are better prepared to meet the needs of individuals and communities affected by drug use disorders, while advancing public health and social well-being. This workshop was implemented with the funding received from the Kingdom of Netherlands. 

Tehran, 21–25 December 2025 – A multi-day training programme aimed at strengthening national and institutional capacities in drug use prevention, early detection, treatment, and social rehabilitation commenced on 21 December 2025 in Tehran. The programme, running from 21 to 25 December 2025, is organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran, with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation as the gracious donor, and in cooperation with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) and specialized scientific and medical institution, “V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Narcology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.The training brings together national policymakers, technical experts, and practitioners to enhance professional capacities, review operational models, and facilitate the transfer of evidence-based practices across the prevention–treatment–rehabilitation continuum.In the opening session, Mr. Alexander Fedulov, Deputy to the Regional Representative, UNODC Afghanistan, ROCA, Iran and Pakistan, emphasized that the drug problem is increasingly global in nature, with illicit markets, emerging patterns of use, and associated health and social harms transcending national borders. Mr. Fedulov underlined that effective responses require sustained international cooperation, mutual learning, and the systematic exchange of scientific and operational expertise.Mr. Fedulov highlighted that the structure of the programme reflects this collaborative approach by bringing together leading specialists from the Russian Federation and Iranian experts working across prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and policy sectors. The representatives from the Iranian Drug Control Headquerters further recalled the long-term strategic cooperation framework between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation, which includes collaboration in the field of drug control. While previous cooperation has focused primarily on supply reduction and precursor control, this programme was noted as a significant step in expanding bilateral cooperation into the areas of prevention and treatment through scientific and educational exchange. The training was presented as a foundation for continued collaboration, including the exchange of experts and joint initiatives in prevention and treatment.The first technical session provided an analytical overview of the global and regional drug situation, as well as the comprehensive system for the prevention of drug use establishing a common evidence base to inform subsequent discussions and practical exchanges throughout the programme.Over the course of the training, participants will engage in thematic sessions designed to deliver concrete capacity-building results, including improved understanding of policy and system-level prevention models; strengthened capacity for early identification and early intervention; enhanced coordination among health, social, and education; increased awareness of youth-focused and gender-responsive approaches, including those addressing the specific needs of women; and improved knowledge of medical treatment, relapse prevention, and social rehabilitation and reintegration practices.The training will conclude with summary discussions aimed at consolidating key findings, identifying transferable practices, and outlining areas for continued technical cooperation among participating institutions.