Statement By  Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran Before The Human Rights Council 55th Session   Agenda item 8: follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action   Geneva, 27 March 2024 بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم Thank you Mr. Vice President,   According to the VDPA, lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to development requires effective development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favorable economic environment at the international level.   All three elements mentioned in this Declaration for the realization of the right to development constitute the core principles of achieving this right, while unilateral coercive measures deliberately target all three of these elements in a precise and intentional manner.   Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCMs) often disrupt the ability of countries to implement effective development policies at the national level by hindering governments' capacity to allocate resources towards development programs and initiatives that are crucial for sustainable progress.   These measures lead to unequal economic relations between countries, undermining the principles of fair trade and cooperation essential for sustainable development.   They also create an unfavorable economic environment at the international level, disrupting trade flows, deterring foreign investment, and increasing economic instability. Furthermore, they stifle international cooperation, all of which are essential components for achieving sustainable and inclusive development.   Such conditions are detrimental to countries' efforts to foster economic growth and development, exacerbating inequality within and among nations, which contradicts the goals of VDPA.   I thank you, Mr. Vice President.