Statement by the Representative of the I.R. of Iran before 17th Session of the Multi-Year Expert Meeting on Commodities and Development

Statement 

by 

Mr. Sadegh Ghorbani 

Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva 

before 

17th Session of the Multi-Year Expert Meeting on Commodities and Development
Opening Statement

Geneva, 22 October 2026
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Mr. Chair,

We align ourselves with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China and the Asia-Pacific Group.

We congratulate you on your election and assure you of our full cooperation. We also thank the UNCTAD Secretariat for its preparations and the background documentation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to UNCTAD's work on commodity dependence. Price volatility and external shocks can seriously affect export incomes, the cost of essential imports and economic stability. However, these challenges must be considered within the broader context of development. We must also address the international constraints that limit countries' ability to respond to shocks and the structural barriers that perpetuate their dependence on primary commodities.

Mr. Chair,
We recognize the importance of national policies, but their effectiveness also depends on the international economic environment. As the Secretariat's background note highlights, international trade can help countries manage price volatility. However, barriers to export markets and difficulties in securing essential imports can disrupt trade even when prices remain stable. Restrictions on access to finance, payment mechanisms, insurance and transportation further undermine the resilience of developing countries.

In this context, Iran reiterates its serious concern over the adverse consequences of unilateral coercive measures. Such measures disrupt normal trade and financial relations, undermine development efforts and further limit the ability of affected countries to respond to external shocks. We believe these consequences deserve greater attention in UNCTAD's work.

The Secretariat's background note also highlights the impact of military conflicts on commodity markets. The unlawful military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran this year is a clear example of how such actions can disrupt international trade and supply chains. These developments further underline the importance of respecting national sovereignty and maintaining international peace and stability as essential conditions for sustainable development.

Mr. Chair,
We also emphasize that long-term resilience requires addressing the structural causes of commodity dependence. Developing countries need greater opportunities to diversify their economies, strengthen productive capacities and increase domestic value addition. Access to technology, investment and development financing, together with adequate policy space, is essential for moving towards higher-value production and benefiting more equitably from global value chains.

My delegation therefore encourages UNCTAD to give greater attention to the impact of international trade and financial constraints on developing countries, while strengthening its technical cooperation in support of diversification, value addition and productive capacity development.

Our efforts should go beyond managing short-term price fluctuations. They should also help remove the barriers that prevent developing countries from building more diversified and resilient economies.
The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to supporting UNCTAD's efforts towards a more equitable, inclusive and development-oriented international trading system.

Thank you, Mr. Chair

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