Statement by H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations 21st Session of the UN Forum on Forest New York, 11 May 2026 In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to the protection, restoration and sustainable management of its forests, recognising their vital role in biodiversity conservation, combating desertification and sand and dust storms, and strengthening climate resilience. In this regard, Iran has launched a national initiative to plant one billion trees from 2023 to 2027 as a concrete contribution to climate action and sustainable development. Low forest cover countries face particular challenges in sustainable forest management, including limited resources, climate change, and financial and technical constraints. Addressing these challenges requires stronger national efforts, supported by international cooperation and the continued support of the United Nations in providing technical assistance, capacity-building, and access to financial resources, on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis. Mr. Chairman, Our forests face many global threats, among which wars and armed conflicts are particularly devastating drivers of forest degradation and ecosystem destruction. In this context, Iran has, over the past year, been subjected twice to unlawful acts of aggression, causing serious damage to its infrastructure, natural resources, forests, and other environmentally critical areas. On 29 March 2026, during an unlawful act of aggression against Iran, the country’s Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organisation—an institution with over 120 years of experience in safeguarding forests, rangelands, and combating desertification—was directly targeted. This attack resulted in the tragic loss of specialised environmental personnel, severely damaged national capacities for sustainable forest management, and destroyed irreplaceable environmental records and institutional knowledge accumulated over decades. Those responsible for such acts must be held accountable under international law, not only for the harm inflicted on present generations, but also for the irreversible damage imposed on future generations. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we reaffirm that the protection and sustainable management of forests is a shared global responsibility and an indispensable pillar for achieving the Global Forest Goals. At a time when forests face growing threats, it is imperative to strengthen multilateral cooperation, solidarity, and collective action with the leading role of the United Nations to safeguard these vital ecosystems for present and future generations. In this spirit, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains firmly committed to sustainable forest management and stands ready to enhance cooperation and exchange of experiences with all partners at the regional and global levels in advancing our common forest objectives. I thank you.