Statement by Vahid Ghelich, the Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Before the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development 12 February 2024 – New York   In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.   Madam Chair,      At the outset, I would like to express the association of my delegation with the statement made by Uganda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China as well as the statement made by Belarus on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Family. My delegation would also like to seize the opportunity, to congratulate you and your colleagues in the Bureau for your well-deserved election. Madam Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,       The Islamic Republic of Iran highly values the key role that this Commission could play in promoting conducive environment towards achieving sustainable development for all. We believe that only through the joint efforts and under the international collaboration and solidarity, the challenges to the social development can be addressed.  However, we have still a long way to go. Widening divides and gaps caused by the lack of resources for promoting social development and furthermore the unequal economic opportunities between the developed and developing countries have exacerbated the situation. In this regard the international community, including the developed countries, should fulfil their commitments without prejudice to properly mobilize and provide the financial support and transfer technical assistance to ensure a “global”, “sustainable” as well as “inclusive” social development. In this scope, eradicating poverty, access to adequate health facilities, access to advanced technology and innovation, leveraging the power of science and capacity building, are critically needed. Believing in an inclusive social development for all, and in our endeavors to leave no one behind, and from a humanitarian perspective, the Islamic Republic of Iran has generously hosted millions of refugees, displaced persons and migrants from neighboring countries. We have shared with them resources and facilities of Iranian people for education, nutrition and health in the absence of meaningful international support. They have benefited from inclusive access to basic social and protection services, and during the COVID pandemic the majority of them got vaccinated alongside Iranians without any discrimination. My country has made remarkable progress in achieving social development components. However, we believe that much more could have been done in the absence of the tremendous setbacks caused by the illegitimate unilateral sanctions. The Unilateral Coercive Measures which infringe the fundamental principles of international law as well as principles and purposes set forth in the UN Charter, remains as one of the most pressing challenges and hindrances in ensuring effective social development. UCMs such as economic blockades also deny nations of their inherent human rights particularly the right to development and deprives nations of essential means for social development. We strongly believe a renewed commitment to multilateralism and global solidarity, promoting the sustainable development-oriented policies, aversion to politicizing technical and humanitarian issues through unwavering dedication to strengthening multilateral decision-making, are remedies for our current predicament.   Distinguished Colleagues, As pertains to empowering girls and women, today, almost 56% of state university students, almost 30% of faculty members and 34% of faculty members in medical departments in Iranian universities are women. In health sector more than 40% of all specialist physicians are women. The rate of literacy has been reached 97%. At the decision-making level also, women and youth are holding a remarkable part of government positions at all levels including the executive positions. Madam Chair, Excellencies The humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory particularly in Gaza strip is on the alert and should be addressed in a high priority. Such situation has the dramatic impacts on social development and social justice for the Palestinian people including women, children, the aging persons and persons with disabilities particularly millions displaced Palestinians and remaining family members of the around 27 thousand Palestinians have been killed during the last months as well as more than 67 thousand injured Palestinians many of them are going to face a kind of disability in the rest of their life. To conclude and to meaningfully address challenges in realizing an inclusive social development and under the auspices of the elevated teachings of Islam, I would like to reemphasize the invaluable message of Imam Ali (peace be upon him): “Be kind to all. People are of two types; they are either your brother in faith or your equals in creation”. We believe such visions are exalted human values that could lead us through challenging times as well as shape a better and sustainable future for all nations throughout the globe. I thank you,