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The 70th regular session of the Trade and Development Board Item 2 – High-level segment - Monday, 19 June 2023
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Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
at the 70th regular session of the Trade and Development Board
Monday, 19 June, 3 p.m.
Item 2 – High-level segment: Decarbonization opportunities and challenges in the Blue Economy
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Mr. President, Madam Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
At the very outset, allow me to join the colleagues and congratulate H.E.Mr. Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for his well-deserved election as the president of the 70th regular session of the Trade and Development Board (TDB). Mr. President please rest assured that our support will accompany you during this session and the meeting will be a success.
I would also like to commend Madam Gryspan, UNCTAD Secretary General for her insightful opening remarks as well as distinguished panelists for their profound information presented to us.
Aligning myself with the statement made by Her Excellency Ms. Maimuna ibenga Tarishi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of United Republic of Tanzania as Chair of G77 and China, I would like to make the following remarks with regard to the agenda item 3:
Mr.President,
We, the representatives of countries, gathered here to address one of the most pressing issues of our time - decarbonization and climate change. This is a matter of utmost concern to all nations, but it is particularly urgent for developing countries who bear the brunt of the consequences of climate change, despite being the least responsible for it.
Our countries are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change in the form of rising sea levels, droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, leading to massive loss of life, displacement, and economic damage. We cannot afford to delay action any further. Our immediate priority must be to achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by mid-century. However, the transition to a low-carbon economy must be inclusive, and ensure equitable access to scientific and technological advancements.
Mr. President,
We call upon developed countries to fulfill their commitment to provide finance and technology support to developing countries to accelerate the transition to low-carbon development. It is critical that the burden of decarbonization is not borne solely by developing countries, who lack both financial and technological capabilities.
Improved multilateral cooperation is also key to achieving our goals. It is becoming increasingly evident that tackling climate change in isolation is not viable. In order to be effective, we need a coordinated effort where governments, the private sector, and civil society work together to address this global issue.
Mr.President,
I refer to H.E.Mr. António Guterres’ remarks to the side event on the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, 22 March 2023UN Secretary-General saying : “We urgently need to reduce emissions, enhance adaptation measures and ensure climate justice . And developing countries must have the resources to adapt and build resilience against climate disaster.” We are fully aware of the urgent need to transition to a low-carbon economy to mitigate the effects of climate change. We are also cognizant of its impact on different sectors including ocean and fisheries. Moreover we have aligned our policy in that way.
However, we are concerned about the impact that the transition may have on our economies and people. Our countries have traditionally relied on the production and export of oil as a significant source of revenue, and a transition towards a low-carbon economy requires careful consideration to avoid negative impacts on our economies and people.
Mr. President,
Once again we acknowledge the role that we must play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. We pay careful attention to reducing our carbon footprint and exploring alternatives to oil such as renewable energy. However, we need cooperation from developed countries to ensure that this transition is just and fair.
We call upon developed countries to fulfill their commitment to providing financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building to enable us to diversify our economies and make the transition possible. This support must be tailored to the specific needs of each country, recognizing the different stages of development and the unique challenges that we face.
Mr. President,
Though as per to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) developing countries have emitted more, it is essential to note their per capita emissions are still much lower than those of developed countries. Moreover historically, developed countries have contributed the most to greenhouse gas and carbon emissions.
This is primarily due to the fact that these countries have industrialized earlier and have relied heavily on fossil fuels for their economic growth. In contrast, developing countries have only begun to industrialize in recent decades and have had limited access to clean energy alternatives.
Mr. President,
It is crucial to note that developing countries are not solely responsible for the current climate crisis, and should not bear the entire burden of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries still have a greater per capita carbon footprint even though they have industrialized earlier and have become wealthy at the expense of increased carbon emissions. Therefore, a global effort is necessary to address the challenge of climate change, with shared responsibility and equity as core principles.
In conclusion, we once again call upon developed countries to fulfill their commitment to providing the necessary support to enable us to transition to a low-carbon economy in a just and fair manner. We render our efforts to this transition, but we need the support of the international community to make it a reality.
Thank you.