TEHRAN – The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convened a plenary session on Thursday to express condolences to the Iranian government and people following the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

The session began with a moment of silence and included remarks from UNGA President Dennis Francis, who commemorated the Iranian officials who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on May 19.

“President Raisi played a pivotal role in shaping our multilateral system and fostering international cooperation,” Francis noted, also praising Amir Abdollahian as “a consummate diplomat.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged that Raisi “led Iran during a challenging period for the country, the region, and the world.”

Burundi’s UN Ambassador Zéphyrin Maniratanga, representing African nations, lauded Raisi as a “dedicated leader who served his nation and promoted international cooperation, particularly with African countries.”

“Raisi was a visionary whose commitment to equity, solidarity, and multilateralism was evident throughout his leadership,” he added.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, spoke on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighting Raisi’s contributions to the OIC’s mission, including advocating for Palestinian rights.

“Through the late President’s leadership and the support of other OIC leaders, the Organization has become a stronger force for global peace, security, and prosperity,” Akram said.

Speaking for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Uganda’s representative emphasized that Raisi and Amir Abdollahian were “key in bolstering cooperation among NAM members.” 

“Under their leadership, Iran played a crucial role in enhancing cooperation among developing countries,” the envoy stated.

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, expressed gratitude for the international messages of sympathy, reflecting the global respect for the Iranian people.

He described President Raisi as a “committed leader” widely respected for promoting good neighborliness, building trust, and encouraging dialogue regionally and globally. 

The helicopter carrying Raisi and his entourage was on its way to Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan, from a location on the border with the Republic of Azerbaijan where the Iranian president had opened a major dam project.

Rescuers found the wreckage of the helicopter early on Monday after hours of extensive search which involved more than 70 teams.