Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN office and other international organizations in Geneva, at the twenty-third meeting of Council of Representatives of the South Centre   Geneva - 27 April 2023   بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم Excellency MR. Tabo Embaki, Chairman of the Council Ambassador Mr. Ajit Kumar, Convenor Distinguished Dr. Carlos Corea, Executive Director Distinguished members of the Board Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,    Mr. Chairman,   It gives me great pleasure to address this august gathering of the 23rd Council of Representatives of the South Center. I take this opportunity to express my utmost appreciation for the South Center's sustained efforts and impactful activities. The Center's steadfastness in supporting developing countries in enhancing their participation in different international fora and promoting their legitimate concerns are praiseworthy.    Mr. Chairman,   Before raising my views, I would like to congratulate Mr. Ambassador, Ajit Kumar for his re-election as Covenor, I firmly believe that His Excellency`s wisdom and vision will pave the way for the South Center work and shed light on our path forward. I wish also to place on record my heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished Members of the South Center who supported me during the election process to day, as I am honored to have been elected as the Vice-Convenor of this esteemed Center. I am humbled by your trust in me and will render my efforts to work towards fulfilling the expectations of the Council and the Members.   I am confident that together, we shall continue to work towards achieving the objectives of the South Center. I appreciate distinguished Ambassador of Zimbabwe for Proposing me as a candidate for the post of Vice-Convenor. We must endeavor to safeguard the interests of developing nations, promote cooperation and solidarity, and foster a climate conducive to socio-economic development in the South. I look forward to working closely with the Convenor, the Secretariat, and the members of this Council as well as members of the South Center towards achieving our shared goals.   Mr. Chairman, The climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased number of conflicts around the world are among the cascading challenges and have placed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in jeopardy, according to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, released by the United Nations. Moreover, the effect of these challenges on developing countries are more complicated and severe than the developed partners. In such tumultuous situation, the role of the South Center is more crucial than ever.  As a part of the revitalization, the ongoing discussion, taking place in UNCTAD, I strongly believe that we should add South Center capacity to all key negotiations process to enable developing countries to negotiate crucial issues at their best and be more visible through making consensus and facilitating our unified positions.   Mr. Chairman,  I appreciate hard efforts of Mr. Carlos Corea, Executive Director of the Center and his able team on delivering high quality workshops, Seminars and  briefing sessions on different areas of work specially on intellectual property rights, Trade, WTO reform, and his report also preparing the Report of Activities for 2022, and Report on Financial Situation of the South Centre for the year 2022. Pertaining to the Thematic Work Program of the South Centre, 2023 to 2025, and after viewing and overviewing the work program, I would reiterate that it is a well-organized and inclusive program, encompassing wide variety of key issues. Having said that I would like to propose to include in the said work program, the issue of the Unilateral Economic and Financial Sanctions that United States imposed Illegally, unlawfully and unilaterally on countries of the South. The South Center valuable analytical work and views on the effect of such sanctions on different areas inter alia economy, finance, investment would give us better notion how to deal with the implication of the sanctions in different fora. Also given to importance of the meetings or course of negotiations, taking place, in all International entities positioned in Geneva, and due to lack of time and heavy tasks our diplomats are entrusted with, I would support more high quality briefing sessions before those meetings, focusing on the gist of issues and leading up to common positions and if possible consensus. Such an approach will surely boost the negotiation capacity of the South and enable us to defend our position against the West in more skillful manner.     Mr. Chairman,   In conclusion, let me once again express my sincere appreciation to the South Center for its outstanding efforts and programs. I wish the Council every success in its deliberations and pray that the outcomes of this meeting will serve to further advance the South Center's goals and objectives. I am convinced that our collective strength and solidarity will enable us to overcome the challenges ahead and build a brighter future for all.     Thank you