United Nations Day 2023 marked in Iran
25 October 2023
A high-level event was held on the occasion of United Nations Day on Tuesday, 24 October 2023, at the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) in Tehran. Participants included the UN Resident Coordinator in Iran, Mr. Stefan Priesner, the UN Country Team, H.E. Dr. Reza Najafi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, representatives from the diplomatic community, government officials and civil society representatives.
Mr. Stefan Priesner, Dr. Reza Najafi, and Prof. Nasrin Mosaffa, Head of the Iranian Association for UN Studies (IAUNS) spoke to the audience.
Of the 150 participants, more than 55 represented various diplomatic missions in the country – with some 36 ambassadors present.
At the request of the UN Resident Coordinator, a moment of silence was observed in solidarity with all the innocent lives lost in the recent tragic developments in the Middle East.
Highlighting the role of the 18 resident agencies, funds and programmes and of the UN present in Iran, Mr. Priesner said: “The UN family in Iran is well placed to play a bridging role by identifying solutions to critical humanitarian and development problems and in facilitating regional and international co-operation to implement these solutions.” The UN Resident Coordinator further highlighted the experience and trust gained in decades of UN working side by side with national partners in Iran.
On the occasion, publications from across the UN system – showcasing the technical expertise and added value that the UN offers to its Member States – were showcased.
To stress the importance of UN values including unity, open dialogue and solidarity, four monuments in Tehran – Azadi Tower, Milad Tower, Tabiat Bridge and Golestan Palace - were illuminated in blue on 24 October 2023.
This blue illumination will also remind the public that Iran was among the founding Member States of the UN in 1945.
About UN Day
The United Nations Day is observed annually on 24 October to marking the coming into force of the UN Charter, date of the establishment of the United Nations. This significant Day is marked worldwide to promote awareness about the values of the United Nations, and to highlight the importance of multilateral international dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges.
About UN in Iran
The UN in Iran is comprised of 18 Agencies, Funds and Programmes active in development assistance and humanitarian areas. The development work of UN Iran entities is focused on:
- Public health management
- Socio-economic resilience
- Environmental protection – integrated natural resources management and addressing climate change
- Disaster risk reduction and management
- Drug control
UN Iran entities also support the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran with humanitarian aid. This includes emergency response and disaster relief, as well as significant support to Iran’s efforts to host one of the largest refugee populations in the world.
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For further information please contact United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tehran:
+989121053220
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