In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful   Madam Chair, Distinguished Participants,   It’s indeed a great pleasure for me to be here in Ashgabat for the second time on the occasion of the International Day of Neutrality. Our participation in this High-Level Meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development is indicative of our support for international initiatives of our brotherly and neighboring country. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to your government for organizing this meeting and the warm hospitality extended to our delegation. I would also like to congratulate those members that have recently joined this group and important initiative of our neighbor and brotherly country, Turkmenistan. In the current turbulent world, adherence to the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the UN Charter as well as the progress we have made so far in their realization have an undeniable necessity. Maintaining international peace and security and taking effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace is one of the major Purposes of the United Nations. It is, however, a source of deep concern that today, the international peace and security, despite its prominent place in the UN Charter, is being intentionally undermined in an unprecedented manner. In such a situation, forums like the Meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development and similar efforts will provide us with an ample opportunity to counter the growing challenges to the maintenance of international peace and security as well as the attainment of the sustainable development worldwide. The dire situation in Gaza and the continuous crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the last two months are a living example of the inaction of the United Nations specially the United Nations Security Council in fulfilling their duties and countering the gross violations of the UN Charter. The Security Council must demand the Israeli regime, in clear and conclusive terms, to stop immediately, completely all its military operations and crimes in Gaza, the West Bank of Palestine and its attacks against other countries in the region. The extent, frequency and gravity of the barbaric crimes of the Israeli regime in Gaza is unprecedented. These brutalities have all constituting elements of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The occupying forces commit all such crimes daily, repeatedly and concurrently in front of the eyes of all of humanity. Besides the principles of morality and humanity, they materially breached norms of international law particularly the laws of war and international humanitarian and human rights law. They turned Gaza into a graveyard of children and hell on earth. In fact, no quarter is given and nowhere is safe in Gaza. Preventing such situations is a collective responsibility of all members of international community. For its part, so far, the Islamic Republic of Iran has played an active and constructive role in curbing the situation and stand prepared to continue such a role. Iran firmly supports the full realization of the Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State in all their territories with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. This indeed is the only way to establish lasting peace and security in the Middle East. In fact, sustainable peace and security will only be achieved through justice. On the other hand, both sustainable peace and justice are of the most important role in sustainable development in each and every society and at the regional and international levels. Accordingly, this Group might intend to consider the linkage of sustainable peace and security, justice and sustainable development. We also support the idea of establishing an institute of Neutrality and security in Ashgabat.  We must also consider other relevant issues too. For example, application of unilateral coercive measures including sanctions is also among the destructive trends that undermine international peace and security, prevent the socioeconomic development of the targeted societies, and constitute a flagrant violation of human rights of the targeted nations. These illegitimate, inhumane and shameful economic terrorism must come to an end. Addressing common, multifaceted and global challenges needs collective, coherent and inclusive approach. Given the fact that Neutrality does not mean being inactive or passive, forums such as this Group can indeed contribute to such endeavors. No one can overcome these growing challenges alone. We have no option other than dialogue, mutual respect and working together cooperatively based on the principles of international law. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its readiness to cooperate actively and constructively with other members of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development to achieve our common goals and make our region safer and more prosperous. I thank you for your kind attention.