Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI before the G77 and China Ministerial Meeting – UNCTAD16

Geneva - 20 October 2025

Statement

 By

  H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI

 Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva

 Before

The G77 and China Ministerial Meeting – UNCTAD16

Geneva, 20 October 2025

 *****

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Mr. President,

Madam Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, the Islamic Republic of Iran aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China as well as Asia Pacific Group. We take this opportunity to commend the leadership of Her Excellency Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, and express our appreciation to Peru, as Chair of the Group, and all colleagues for their tireless efforts and commitment.

Mr. President

Since its inception in 1964, UNCTAD has served as the unique international politico-economic platform for developing countries in the UN system, articulating their shared perspectives on trade and development, as well as interrelated issues. We reaffirm our strong support for UNCTAD’s work through its three foundational pillars: consensus-building, independent analytical research, and technical cooperation.

As we look toward the outcome of  UNCTAD 16, we expect it to address both long-standing and emerging challenges, including: 

• Effective and equitable technology transfer and adaptation;
• Reform of the international financial architecture, including debt and tax issues;
• The economic and social impact of unilateral coercive measures, whose coercive nature continues to harm innocent people and increase living costs worldwide;
• Climate change, with full respect for Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), and enhanced access to climate finance and capacity-building;
• The green transition, ensuring developing countries are adequately supported.

UNCTAD should also re-examine its approach to technology transfer. Repeating the same formulations has created a vicious circle. It is time for a fresh, action-oriented vision and stronger North–South cooperation to achieve tangible results.

Mr. President,

We highly value UNCTAD’s flagship reports, particularly the Trade and Development Report and the World Investment Report, and encourage deeper analytical work on artificial intelligence, digital taxation, transit, and logistics—key enablers for developing economies.

Finally, the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest terms the inhuman acts and relentless bombardment by the Israeli regime against Gaza, which have imposed not only immense human suffering but also a heavy burden on the Palestinian economy. We stress that UNCTAD should continue its vital support for the Palestinian economy, and this issue must remain a perennial agenda item of the organization.

Moreover, this heinous aggression act does not confine only to the Palestine but also, has been extended to the other countries in the Middle East region that as a result leave heavy economic burden to these countries.

We thank you, Mr. President, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the unity, solidarity, and shared vision of the Group of 77 and China in advancing a fairer, more inclusive, and development-oriented global economy.

Thank you.

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