UN praises Iran anti-dust steps

Iran’s capabilities to fight dust and sand storms have been admirable and the country has good plans in this regard, Haoliang Xu said in the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms: Challenges and Practical Solutions in Tehran.

He, also the Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific at the United Nations Development Program, added that all the steps by Iran in the areas struggling with the phenomenon of sand and dust storms (SDS) have been taken for well-being of the people.

The UN official also appreciated Iran’s efforts in restoring Urmia Lake and called them exemplary environmental measures by the country.

Saying that the SDS is a global, not a regional issue, he emphasized that combating it requires international cooperation and decision making for achieving good results.

Meanwhile, Head of Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi in the conference also confirmed that resolving the issue requires global work, noting that Islam advises the human interactions.

Pointing to the importance of clean air and water for the humanity to have a healthy life, he urged the necessity of protecting water resources for future generations.

The International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms which is being hosted by the United Nations (UN) and Iranian Department of Environment is to review challenges and practical solutions to the issue.

Iran is among the countries which have been badly hurt by the SDS phenomenon.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Head of Department of Environment Massoumeh Ebtekar, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian, a number of Iranian MPs, UN Assistant Secretary-General Haoliang Xu and the executive secretary Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi have taken part in the Tehran international conference to be held at the level of ministers and experts for three days.

34 countries, including Italy, France, China, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Chad, India, Armenia, Jordon, Serbia, and the US, are attending the conference.

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