Speech by UN Resident Coordinator, Stefan Priesner at the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Command and Staff University on the Occasion of the International Day of Peace 2025

It is an honour to be with you today to commemorate the International Day of Peace, a day born of conviction — that we, as a global community, must (quote) “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” (end quote). These exact words, taken from the Preamble of the UN Charter, remain our guiding beacon. 

Our world today is plagued by conflict and violence. From Gaza to Sudan, from Ukraine to Myanmar, millions are caught in the crossfire of wars they did not start. The United Nations Secretary-General has been steadfast in his calls to end these conflicts. And the UN is on the ground to support the people with humanitarian assistance (sometimes in nearly impossible conditions). 

As a result of conflicts worldwide, over 139 million people flee war, persecution and famine, and nearly 61,000 UN peacekeepers work across 11 missions to maintain peace and protect civilians. Our colleagues also work globally to bring warring parties around the negotiating table to make peace.

And here in Iran, we must also recall the military escalation of June 2025, which resulted in the tragic loss of civilian lives. The UN Secretary-General condemned the escalation and called for adherence to international law, particularly international humanitarian law. As the UN in Iran, we expressed our deep condolences then - and reiterate them before you today.

Throughout the military conflict, we as the UN family in Iran remained present — in solidarity with the people of Iran. When people suffer, the UN is there to support.

The UN Charter remains a framework not just to end wars, but to prevent them. Escalating conflict and violations of sovereignty should not be viewed as failures of the Charter, but rather of those who choose to ignore its principles.
Peace does not emerge by itself — it is built when people’s basic rights and dignity are respected, when opportunities for education, healthcare, and livelihoods are available to all, and when institutions are inclusive and accountable. Conversely, where rights are denied, where inequality is entrenched, and where development is uneven, tensions fester, and the seeds of conflict are sown.

Sustainable peace is the result of deliberate investments in human dignity, opportunity, and justice. It is therefore a reality that peace, development, and human rights are deeply interlinked.

Indeed, development and humanitarian actions are the key pillars of UN Iran’s work in the Islamic Republic of Iran that I have been honoured to lead for the last four years. The cooperation between the Government and the UN system has been diverse and comprehensive – from support to health priorities, to cooperation in the area of environmental preservation and climate change, from disaster management to drug control, from socio-economic resilience to mitigating the humanitarian impact of sanctions as well as support to refugees and host communities. 

This collaboration is guided by our five-year Cooperation Framework (2023–2027) and builds on more than 75 years of UN presence in Iran, and 80 years since the founding of the United Nations — of which Iran is a proud founding member.
We often speak of the causes of war — but not enough about the consequences of war. The lives that are shattered, the homes that are destroyed, and generations that bear the scars of warfare. 

That is why it is upon all of humanity to prevent wars – and give way to diplomacy and dialogue to settle disagreements, divisions and distrust. 

At this point, I would like to share a poem by Iranian poet Sa’adi: 
اگر پیل زوری و گر شیرِ چنگ
به نزدیکِ من صُلح بهتر که جنگ
If you are as powerful as an elephant, or a lion in a war
no difference for me since I prefer peace to war

But even in the unfortunate occurrence of a war, it is imperative to remember that – in the words of the UN Secretary-General, “even wars have rules.”  Upholding international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, even in the most difficult of times, is what defines the difference between destruction and dignity.

To you — soldiers and military leaders of tomorrow — I urge you to always make this distinction and carry your responsibility with conscience. For you are also the guardians of peace and dignity. 

Thank you.