Tehran, January 23, 2009 - Representatives from various UN agencies met with members of the Maijlis at the Iranian Centre for International Conferences in Tehran to discuss and raise awareness on the UN system’s activities in Iran, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Humanitarian activities in Gaza, with much success.

The spirit of the meeting was set by the facilitator of the meeting the head of the Social Commission and a member of the parliament, Mr. Kouhkan when he expressed his hope that the meeting would “contribute to a cooperation” which “will continue in the future”. The UN’s Resident Coordinator, Mr. Ostby shared Mr Kouhkan’s objectives and emphasised the importance of such a close relationship between the UN agencies and the Maijlis. Furthermore Mr. Ostby elaborated on the role of the I. R. of Iran within the UN system as “an important country member state with very strategic influence in the whole region” and that the aim of today’s meeting is also “to conclude today on how we can move forward” with this partnership.

The Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Manenti, who is also the head of the theme group on MDGs explained that due to the high capacity currently existing in the country, the work of the UN agencies in the area of MDGs depends ultimately on the country’s specific needs. Furthermore he clarified that the activities under this theme group aim to “strengthen national capacity through technical assistance, reach the MDGs and promote South-South Co-operation”.

The Depute Resident Representative (DRR), Ms. Sagynbaeva, also the head of the thematic group on Sustainable Development, Disaster Management and Energy Efficiency, outlined the various projects undertaken by UN agencies under their joint effort on sustainable development. She expressed that the field of “environment is one of the largest areas of funding” and that cooperation with Maijlis plays a “key role”. She specifically emphasised the need to review international conventions on environment, an exercise which entails an important role for the Maijlis in order to ensure continued sustainability of current efforts. In conclusion she stressed the importance of “sharing the experience and expertise” of UN agencies and members of the parliament in order to ensure effective and relevant actions in the field of sustainable development.

Heading the theme group on Gender, the UNFPA representative, Mr. Abdel-Ahad, referred to gender as a cross cutting issue. Activities undertaken by this theme group include the promotion of community based activities; the equitable access to health care; improving the policy on womens’ health; reviewing the provision of violence and promoting good practices in the area of rural development. Furthermore he explained that some of the effects of the joint coordinated work of UN agencies in this area have helped reduce the poverty that girl children have been subject to, which in turn has led to a decrease in divorce rates in the country. In addition he also stressed the importance of activities which target the prevention of female trafficking in the area of refugees. In conclusion, Mr. Abdel-Ahad emphasised that although “gender issues are sensitive, I want to commemorate the dialogue formed as a result of [the efforts undertaken in] the Gender theme group”.

The The presentations which followed included a review of activities in national capacity building to target disaster risk, by the representative of UNOCHA, Dr. Mojtahed Shabestary, a presentation on the humanitarian efforts of the largest UN agency in Iran UNHCR, by the representative Mr. Zaccagnini, and finally a presentation on the activities conducted under the theme group on HIV/AIDS, by the representative of UNICEF, Mr. Salazar. Mr Salazar took the opportunity to highlight that “the government of Iran has had very effective policies on HIV/AIDS”. He furthermore stressed that UN agencies “collectively think that the experience of Iran needs to be duplicated and shared” with other countries and an expression of hope “that HIV/AIDS will [continue to} stay high on the agenda” of the government.

The United Nations Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF) advisor/UNDP Programme Officer, Dr. Farzin followed with a presentation on the current state of the MDGs in the country. The latest MDG report was published in 2004 and plans are underway to publish a new report which illustrates the progress of the I. R. of Iran towards the goals set to be achieved by 2015. According to Dr. Farzin, and on the basis of the last published report, the country is “progressing towards the MDGs relatively well”. But “in order to realise the MDGs there are some strategies to follow” such as “sustainable development”, “participation” and the principles of “human dignity”. Dr. Farzin concluded by emphasising the importance of “inter-sectoral cooperation” and by highlighting the challenge of establishing “a proper monitoring system”.

Following the presentation on the MDGs, the representatives of WHO, UNFPA and UNOCHA gave a review of the UN agencies humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Emphasis was specially put on the effects of the crises on health. Special attention was also given to the silent victims of the crisis i.e. pregnant women. Furthermore the situation was described as a humanitarian crisis and the current challenges faced by UN agencies in the field were highlighted and reviewed.

During the questions and answers series members of the parliament expressed concern in regards to the Gaza crisis and the role of UN, as well as confronted some of the international definitions such as gender equality. It was agreed by all participants that more dialogue is needed which will help reduce misconceptions and strengthen current partnerships.

In conclusion both chairs welcomed this initiative and called for more cooperation.