Speaking at a ceremony hosted by the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Priesner referred to the 12-day Israeli-imposed war against Iran in June, noting that “throughout the military escalation, we as the United Nations family in Iran remained present and continued to deliver – in solidarity with the people of Iran. When people suffer, the United Nations is there to support.”
Following is the full text of Priesner’s speech:
Your Excellency, Vice-President and Head of the Department of Environment, Dr. Shina Ansari,
Your Excellency, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Spokesperson, Dr. Esmaeil Baqaei,
Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends,
It is an honour to join you today to commemorate United Nations Day 2025, the 80th anniversary of the day when the United Nations officially came into being. I start at this auspicious day by congratulating all of you for United Nations Day. And I thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for co-organizing today’s event.
Eighty years ago, the Charter of the United Nations laid out a bold promise: “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”. These pillars — peace, human rights, and development — are deeply interconnected, each reinforcing the other.
For eighty years, that promise has guided our collective efforts to forge peace, tackle poverty, advance human rights, and build a more sustainable world. Progress was not linear and there were many challenges on the way, but what we have achieved together was impressive and unprecedented – solving conflicts and keeping peace, eradicating diseases, boosting life expectancy and education levels across the globe, even closing the Ozon hole, which for me always remains a one of the most impressive results of cooperation, because it is the stratosphere that we are talking about.
But as we mark this milestone, around the world, we are witnessing a surge in conflicts, widening inequality, the accelerating climate crisis, and the negative impact of technological advancements — all testing the limits of international cooperation.
At the same time, the United Nations itself faces a new reality: from shrinking humanitarian space to increasing polarization, from funding shortfalls to attacks on multilateralism.
We are at the cusp of an era, where technology will define more and more spheres of human life. An era, where we know that the planetary boundaries to cope with environmental degradation, may already be exceeded. It is precisely because of these megatrends that the United Nations remains so vital.
In an age of fragmentation, the UN stands as the global platform where nations can come together — where dialogue can prevail over discord, and where the needs of people, not politics, can be advanced through solidarity among countries.
This UN Day is held in the aftermath of the recent 12-day conflict in June, which resulted in the tragic loss of civilian lives. The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the military escalation, the loss of lives and injuries to civilians, and called for adherence to international law. As the United Nations in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we expressed our deep condolences — and reiterate them today.
Throughout the military escalation, we as the United Nations family in Iran remained present and continued to deliver — in solidarity with the people of Iran. When people suffer, the United Nations is there to support.
In a world increasingly divided by geopolitical tensions, development cooperation and humanitarian work remain powerful areas of confidence building — connecting people, fostering trust, and building resilience. Here in Iran, the United Nations Country Team is proud to focus on this effort. We translate global commitments into action on the ground — from environment, to health, from disaster response to resilience.
The United Nations has been present in Iran since 1950. Since then, the cooperation between the United Nations and the Islamic Republic of Iran has evolved through changing times, yet it has always been anchored in a shared purpose: to improve lives of the people of Iran.
Through the current Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, our work continues to advance this legacy. Together with government institutions, partners, and the international community, we are supporting national efforts in the areas of economic resilience, health, environment, disaster risk reduction, drug control and promote inclusion for all. This complements the support to refugees and host communities through our humanitarian work. After this formal celebration please join me and the Vice-President to visit briefly a beautifully done exhibition that shows the collaboration between our host government and the United Nations family in Iran.
As this marks my final United Nations Day in Iran, allow me to share a few reflections —
First, through these four years the United Nations in Iran was able to maintain a constructive and ongoing engagement and cooperation with all stakeholders, including through periods of volatility and uncertainty. Engagement is important, even more in challenging times to be able to identify solutions together.
Second, the comparative advantage of the UN can make a real difference — by bringing worldwide expertise, international standards, and create space for dialogue, complex issues of mutual interest can be addressed. Even in times of crises. Working together on global public goods including health, climate and refugees which cannot be addressed by countries alone, we all benefit.
Third, none of this would have been possible without the dedication of the United Nations Country Team, the commitment of our national counterparts – with a special thanks to the facilitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Director-Generals Mr. Hasaninejad Pirkouhi and Mr. Sadatinejad and the excellent collaboration of the diplomatic and development community. It has been a genuine pleasure to work with each of you. Thank you very much.
I would also like to acknowledge the enormous contributions of Bindhya, my dear wife, who brought together the Diplomatic Spouse Group and enriched the life of many.
On a personal level, I will carry with me the many conversations, encounters, and friendships that have enriched my understanding of this country.
I have seen Iran from the peak of Damavand, Alam-Kuh and Sabalan, from the narrow lanes of Yazd, from the gardens of Shiraz to the deserts of Kerman — and everywhere, I have been struck by the depth, warmth, and resilience of its people.
There is a particular richness here — of intellect, of culture, and of emotion — that reflects the long history of this land.
After four years in Iran, I leave with a profound sense of respect and conviction — that the people of Iran possess the wisdom, creativity, and determination to craft their own future.
It has been an honour to serve here to support the people of Iran and to represent the values of the United Nations.
IRNA