“Taking part in the UN General Assembly provides an exceptional and unique opportunity to present the positions and views of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as representatives and officials from all countries of the world are present there,” the president said before his departure on Tuesday morning.
In New York, the Iranian president will join other world leaders at the UNGA General Debate, which begins on Tuesday. This year’s General Assembly is being held under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
Recalling that theme, Pezeshkian criticized world powers for pursuing unilateralist policies, saying that powerful countries are using their influence to oppress and destroy others.
“In the view of those countries, convergence means achieving their goals at the expense of everyone else’s lives. True convergence, however, means that all people, regardless of ethnicity, race, or beliefs, have the right to life and must respect the rights of others,” he said.
The president added that the UNGA offers an opportunity for nations to strengthen cooperation based on justice and the protection of the right to life for all.
Pezeshkian further stressed that all parties should strive for mutual understanding, but emphasized that genuine dialogue cannot be held with those who resort to bullying or disruptive behavior.
‘Impossible’ to have dialogue with a bully, Pezeshkian says
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said before leaving for New York that dialogue is impossible with anyone seeking to be “coercive, bullying, mischievous, or destructive.”
Speaking before his departure for New York on Tuesday to address the United Nations General Assembly, Pezeshkian said that the assembly provides an excellent opportunity for world leaders to speak and for Iran to present its positions.
He noted that while this year’s theme is Convergence and Progress, what the world actually observes in global affairs and the conduct of major powers is “nothing but unilateralism and hegemony.”
President Pezeshkian expressed the “truly painful” reality of children dying in Gaza, condemning the nations that “readily” support and supply arms to Israel’s daily bombardment.
He questioned the international response to such crimes, asking if “convergence” means everyone must be killed to conform to the will of a single power, and affirmed that all people have the right “to utilize and benefit from everything God has given.”
The Iranian president outlined his goals for his trip, stating he will announce his positions based on his belief in “peace, justice, rights, and humanity.”
He added that he will hold talks with leaders of various countries if conditions permit, and will also meet with Iranians and experts abroad.
Pezeshkian said that while nations “must sit together and engage in dialogue to understand one another,” it is impossible to talk to someone who “wants to be coercive, bullying, mischievous, or destructive.”
“It is not the case that only Israel should have security; the security of the entire world’s people must be preserved,” he said, vowing to use the “exceptional opportunity” of the UN to ensure Iran’s beliefs are “heard clearly by the world in New York.”
World leaders are gathering in New York to address the General Assembly during the annual General Debate on September 23-29.
The theme of this year’s debate, “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” reflects the anniversary of the UN’s foundation and underscores the call for renewed global commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and shared action for people and planet.
In an X post on Sunday, Mehdi Sanaei, the Iranian president’s political advisor, said Pezeshkian is set to deliver his speech at the UNGA on Wednesday morning local time.
Pezeshkian meets Leader before heading to New York
President Masoud Pezeshkian has met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei before travelling to New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting.
Before traveling to New York on Monday, President Pezeshkian briefed the Leader on the planned schedule for the trip.
Ayatollah Khamenei wished Pezeshkian success and offered him advice on several issues.
Earlier, Mehdi Sanaei, a political advisor to Pezeshkian, said that the president is set to deliver his speech at the UNGA on Wednesday morning.
The president is also scheduled to hold separate talks with the UN secretary general, and officials from other countries, and hold meetings with think tanks and Iranians residing in the US, he said.
The 80th session of the UNGA opened on September 9. The general debate, which gets underway on September 23, will see world leaders taking to the podium to elaborate on their priorities to a global audience. This year’s General Assembly takes place under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” according to the website of the United Nations.
