Doctors at the Yerevan Summit: Countries under aggression should not pay the environmental costs of war and embargo alone.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the first countries that recognized the legal and international importance of this issue and became a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity. But Iran's relationship with biodiversity is not limited to the date of our membership in an international convention.

The president said at the Yerevan summit: war does not only target people and economic infrastructure. War also damages nature; It burns the forests; destroys wetlands; pollutes the soil; threatens water resources; destroys habitats; It displaces animal species; And it introduces chemicals and heavy metals into natural cycles. The effects of war on the environment can last for years after the end of hostilities.

At the summit of the 17th conference of the members of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was held in Yerevan, the President Masoud Mezikian considered war not only a threat to humans and infrastructure, but also a direct cause of the destruction of nature and said: War burns forests, destroys wetlands, pollutes soil and water, and displaces animal species.

The president considered cooperation in environmental fields as a bridge between nations and stated: We believe that biodiversity protection can be one of the important areas of "peace diplomacy". In a region that is facing security crises caused by the illegal and expansionist presence of powers, climate change, water shortage and destruction of ecosystems, cooperation in the field of environment can create a bridge between nations. A bridge that paves the way to achieve peace and security for all, peace with nature and a future with life in harmony with nature.

The full text of the doctors' speech in this meeting is as follows:

Mr. Pashinyan, Mr. General Secretary;

Excellencies; Respected heads of governments and delegations;

Honorable Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Ladies and gentlemen;

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, the respected Prime Minister, the government and people of the friendly and neighboring country of the Republic of Armenia, for hosting this important event and the invitation.

Being part of the global family of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which considers the protection of nature as the protection of the future of humanity, is a source of pleasure for me. Today, we stand at a point in history where biodiversity is no longer just a scientific or environmental issue; Rather, it is an issue related to peace and security, health, food security, water and intergenerational justice for all the inhabitants of the earth.

Iran, with an ancient history of living in harmony with nature and enjoying a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, species and genetic resources, is the inheritor of a valuable and irreplaceable capital; A capital that is the result of millions of years of evolution, dynamism and adaptation of nature and is also reflected in the culture, customs, livelihood, native knowledge and historical identity of the people of this land.

Due to its exceptional geographical location, Iran is located at the intersection of various biogeographic areas. From the forests of Hyrkani and Arsbaran to the mountains of Zagros, from dry and desert areas to the shores of the Persian Gulf, the Oman Sea and the Caspian Sea, which are safe for thousands of plant and animal species and valuable genetic resources; And they are the foundation of the stability of the land and a solid support for providing water, food, health, biological security, resilience against natural hazards and the guarantor of the sustainable development of the country.

In Iran, biological diversity, along with climatic and geographical diversity, is mixed with human history and civilization. Friendship, respect and protection of nature is a part of the cultural, religious and ritual identity of Iranians and has always been considered a part of human life and a trust for future generations. Many ways of life, agriculture, animal husbandry, use of medicinal plants and native knowledge of Iranian people have been formed throughout history based on understanding and adapting to nature and are the result of thousands of years of interaction between man and nature.

Therefore, the protection of biodiversity for Iran is not only the protection of species and their habitats; Protection of a natural, cultural and civilizational heritage.

In my country, relying on the long-standing culture of respect for nature and in line with national and global goals and commitments, the strategy document and the national biodiversity action plan have been compiled and approved. The Environmental Protection Organization has been designated as the national coordinator; And the mechanism of non-governmental participation with the priority of local communities has also been approved by the government. Protecting endangered species and reviving vulnerable populations, including increasing protected areas and monitoring wildlife index species, are essential priorities.

Today, I feel it necessary to talk about an issue that cannot be ignored in the global discussion of biodiversity.

War does not only target people and economic infrastructure. War also damages nature; It burns the forests; destroys wetlands; pollutes the soil; threatens water resources; destroys habitats; It displaces animal species; And it introduces chemicals and heavy metals into natural cycles. The effects of war on the environment can last for years after the end of hostilities.

Today, the international community knows very well that the destruction of the environment in armed conflicts is not a secondary and insignificant consequence of war. These damages are directly related to the security and well-being of future generations.

In our region, including in Iran, the environmental effects of military conflicts should be more seriously considered by the international community. The war of aggression that the United States and the Zionist regime have launched in our region, with damage to industrial and energy facilities, fires, the release of pollutants, soil and water pollution, has threatened natural ecosystems and destroyed the protection infrastructure that has been provided over the years to protect biodiversity.

This is not only an internal issue or limited to the political borders of a country. Nature does not know political boundaries; The spread of water, soil and air pollution does not stop behind the borders. Therefore, the damages caused by war are global issues and need international solutions.

The effects of war on ecosystems can last for years and even generations and affect miles away. An example witness is the amount of destruction in the oppressed Gaza, which, according to experts, parts of its soil will not be able to host life and natural and plant ecological cycles for hundreds of years to come. What has happened in our region due to aggressive wars is "ecocide or environmental genocide" that must be condemned.

The international community is expected to create effective, transparent and enforceable mechanisms for the protection of natural heritage and biodiversity. No country should consider nature as a silent and defenseless victim during war.

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself committed to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the global goals of nature protection. In Iran, we pursue the protection of natural areas, wetlands, forests, pastures, wildlife habitats, and genetic resources along with sustainable development. But you have to be realistic and fair. A country that is simultaneously facing the pressures of climate change, drought, water shortage, desertification and reduction of natural resources, on the one hand, and the effects of economic sanctions and limited access to technology and financial resources, on the other hand, and in two consecutive years, the goal of criminal wars has been the widespread use of destructive weapons, prohibited and in many cases with the purpose of deliberately destroying the environment, such as attacks on fuel tanks in the capital, to implement environmental programs and compensate for losses. Warde needs the real cooperation of the international community.

Biodiversity protection without providing sufficient financial resources, without fair access to knowledge and technology and capacity building, will remain limited to conducting negotiations, issuing resolutions and setting goals.

If we expect developing countries to protect their forests, wetlands, species, and genetic resources, we must also provide them with access to the necessary tools to fulfill this responsibility. This is the true meaning of environmental justice.

We believe that biodiversity financing should be more accessible, more equitable and tailored to the real needs of developing countries.

Also, the transfer of new technologies, capacity building, development of indigenous knowledge and participation of local communities should be in the focus of the implementation of the obligations of the convention.

The international community must accept that countries that are under economic sanctions or subjected to military aggression should not alone bear the environmental costs of sanctions or wars that they did not initiate.

Therefore, we ask the United Nations agencies, international financial institutions and related organizations and institutions in the field of environment and sustainable development: to strengthen the mechanisms of mobilizing financial resources, assessing environmental damages, restoring damaged ecosystems and supporting the affected countries to deal with the environmental consequences of armed conflicts.

Biodiversity conservation is not possible through a single solution, by a specific sector or the role of a single institution.

Saving the planet and protecting the environment requires common understanding of all of us regarding the challenges facing humanity and the responsible use of various solutions; Solutions that take into account different national conditions, priorities, capacities and paths and do not put an additional burden on the shoulders of developing countries, but provide them with the necessary facilities and opportunities to achieve sustainable development while also protecting nature.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate constructively with the international community in this joint effort by providing its scientific, academic capacities and experiences with other countries.

We believe that protecting biodiversity can be one of the important areas of "peace diplomacy".

In a region that is facing security crises caused by the illegal and expansionist presence of powers, climate change, water shortage and destruction of ecosystems, cooperation in the field of environment can create a bridge between nations. A bridge that paves the way to achieve peace and security for all, peace with nature and a future with life in harmony with nature.

A future away from war, killing and destruction, where biodiversity is a common foundation for the prosperity and prosperity of the present generation and future generations.