In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Statement by H.E. Mr. Javad Amin-Mansour Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran before WHO virtual session with Member States on COVID-19 Geneva, 12 March 2020     Mr. Director General, I thank you for convening the first virtual meeting on COVID-19 and briefing us on the latest developments. Dear Colleagues, I would like, at the outset, to provide you with an update on the outbreak of the Virus in Iran and the national policies and measures taken so far. As of yesterday, the total number of confirmed cases in Iran stood at 9000, and 354 deaths have been registered since the beginning of the outbreak. On the positive side, there are 2959 patients who have fully recovered and been released from hospitals. The WHO Technical Team visited my country between 2nd and 10th March. Members of the team had multiple meetings with relevant authorities and made several field visits to health care centers to evaluate the national measures to contain the Virus. We are waiting for the report of the Technical Team to be publicized in due course. From the early stages of the outbreak, a set of measures were taken at local and national levels to coordinate the ongoing efforts of all stakeholders with a view to increasing response capacities nationwide. Health care authorities in Iran are implementing public health measures to prevent onward transmission. In this connection, the closure of schools and higher education centers, cancellation of major sport events, and other mass gatherings are underway, all over the country. The Government, mass media, and civil societies continue to play active roles in raising awareness and providing education and medical advice through internet and social networks in order to reduce movement, transportation and gatherings aimed at containing virus transmission, at local and national levels. In major cities, several hospitals have been allocated for the treatment of the patients. Absolute quarantine of the cities has not yet put in place. As we approach Nowruz festivities, which marks the New Year in Iran, authorities have strongly recommended people to stay at home and not to travel. Local transportation within cities has also been decreased, to a large extent, and in some places that the situation is alarming, rare cases of travelling is occurring. I would like to convey my Government's appreciation to WHO secretariat for its invaluable cooperation with Iran's health care sector to control the infection. While Iran is determined to play its part in defeating Covid-19 pandemic, the continuing cooperation and assistance from the States, WHO and other competent international organizations are of crucial importance. Despite comprehensive and restrictive measures by the Government and the civil societies to contain the pandemic and treat the patients by mobilizing all available resources, the spread of infection have imposed huge and heavy burdens on the Iran's health infrastructure and capacity which is suffering seriously and simultaneously from the sanctions. The imposed unilateral economic sanctions by the United States continue to undermine our capacity to protect people from the global threat of Covid-19. I repeat that the international community must do something, at this juncture, for the lift of sanctions and contribution to our health care system; otherwise we can no longer undertake our responsibility to prevent the spread of Coronavirus within and outside the country. As the Covid-19 has entered its pandemic stage, it is now a global challenge, which requires global cooperation and rapid response. Our success requires collective efforts and greater investment at national, regional and global levels. All countries should work together, share detailed and timely information, and show solidarity to those affected by the outbreak.   I thank you. .