Tehran - Saba:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that the historical responsibility for the majority of the world's environmental challenges lies with developed countries due to their practices.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported on Tuesday that Araghchi's remarks came during his speech at the BRICS summit hosted by Brazil, which addressed the environment and global health.
Araghchi said, "BRICS represents an important symbol of South-South cooperation and an independent voice for the people. We have gathered today at a time when humanity is facing a series of interconnected crises, from the profound impacts of climate change and environmental destruction, to the growing threats to global health, and finally, the unjust structures that hinder the progress of developing countries."
The Iranian Foreign Minister pointed out that sanctions and geopolitical tensions have weakened climate cooperation and hindered international coordination, saying, "The unjust sanctions and unilateral coercive measures imposed by some developed countries on developing countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, under political pretexts, constitute a major obstacle to these countries' efforts." These measures also contradict the international community's goals in combating the effects of climate change and achieving sustainable development, particularly the eradication of poverty and hunger."
Araghchi pointed to the recent attacks launched by the Zionist entity, backed by the United States, on Iranian nuclear facilities, considering these attacks a violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He said, "We are facing a worrying situation where two nuclear-weapon states are attacking a non-nuclear-weapon state, a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and whose nuclear activities are subject to comprehensive IAEA oversight. These reckless and aggressive attacks pose grave humanitarian and environmental risks, as well as irreparable ecological damage."
Concluding his remarks, the Foreign Minister emphasized that Iran, with its vast natural resources, human capital, and strategic geopolitical position, affirms that decisions must be made in a participatory and fair manner, based on the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility." He called on the BRICS countries to become the unified voice of the countries of the Global South on environmental and climate issues.
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