TEHRAN –Ali Salajeqeh, the head of the Department of Environment (DOE), has announced that utilizing the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) members is essential for fostering green development in the region and establishing a global role model for environmental cooperation.

“The Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting provides an opportunity to develop effective and proper measures for addressing common and regional challenges and preserve the environment and green development,” IRNA quoted Salajeqeh as saying.

He made the remarks while delivering a speech at the Green Development Forum of the SCO, held in Qingdao, China, from July 8 to 9.

Population growth, industrialization, and other issues such as migration, diverse infectious diseases, water scarcity, increase in greenhouse gases, global warming, as well as the melting of polar ice are among current global challenges, he said.

These issues have more or less disrupted the balance of ecosystems and posed risks to biodiversity, food security, human health, and the environment which must be taken into account when formulating policies, establishing and prioritizing goals, and adopting strategies, the official stressed.

He went on to say although it is difficult to establish a balance between environmental measures and other development goals, including poverty alleviation and economic growth, to ensure balanced progress prioritizing one aspect of development and goals over others should be avoided.

 “Developing countries should make sure of their social and economic growth as their top priority because the fight against poverty, the development of health and the provision of housing and energy for a significant part of the developing world is still considered a basic priority”.  

As an independent and responsible country, Iran has always highlighted the importance of protecting the environment and has placed this important task at the forefront of its policies, strategies, and development plans, Salajeqeh noted.

However, unjust and unilateral sanctions against Iran have resulted in numerous consequences like environmental destruction and lowered the level of balanced development.

Nevertheless, Iranian youth in knowledge-based companies have tried to solve these environmental problems by focusing on research, development, and innovation, as well as relying on their knowledge and expertise, he further noted.

The official also expressed Iran’s readiness to share its achievements and expertise with other SCO member countries and enhance cooperation with them to improve the regional environmental status.

Green Development Forum

Founded in 2000, the forum is sponsored by the Development Research Center (CDRF), a national, public, and non-profit institution directly under the General Office of the State Council's Republic of China.

This year, it was held under the theme of ‘Joining hands in green development, together promoting harmony between man and nature’, Chinadaily reported.

More than 350 participants, from China and other nations, were expected to attend the event to share their insights on advancing green development.

In addition to delivering a speech, Salajeqeh was scheduled to hold a meeting with Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu. He will also meet with environment ministers of the participating countries, as well as the secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), dolat.ir reported.

The grand event consisted of one main forum and three parallel sub-forums: Year of Ecology of the SCO 2024, Technological Innovation for Green and High-Quality Development, and Climate Action for Green and Low-Carbon Transition.

It was the first high-level event among SCO member countries with a focus on green development, holding great importance for deepening exchanges and cooperation among Central Asian countries and jointly building a green Belt and Road Initiative.

According to Chinadaily report, the initiative of building a green development partnership within the SCO to promote sustainable development would be launched to drive deeper cooperation among SCO countries in green energy, green industries, climate change mitigation, and environmental conservation and to consolidate consensus on green development in the region.

On the sidelines of the forum, several exhibitions and on-site research visits were set up to showcase the achievements in green, low-carbon, and high-quality development.

MT/MG