Gary Lewis New UN Resident Coordinator in Iran

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Gary Lewis, presented his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, AVA Diplomatic reports.

During the meeting Mr. Lewis expressed his honor to have been designated by the UN Secretary-General to represent the UN in a country which has both contributed immensely to world civilization and was also a founder-member of the United Nations. In his new capacity, Mr. Lewis will also officially serve as United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative.

He assured the Foreign Minister that “the Islamic Republic of Iran can count on the role of the United Nations’ agencies, funds and programs on the ground, to work in partnership – and with transparency, impartiality and respect – to deliver on mutually-agreed development goals.”

At the same time, he added that it was “important for the international community to recognize the progress which the Islamic Republic has made in attaining – and even exceeding – several of the Millennium Development Goals, such as those relating to the increase in the education of girls and the reduction of maternal mortality, over the past two decades.” The UN, he added, “is a neutral body and remains at the service of all its Member States to promote peace and development.”

Mr. Lewis also used the opportunity of the meeting – taking place in the shadow of the tragic loss of life from the Kaki area earthquake near Bushehr – to reiterate the condolences of the United Nations to the government and people of Iran, especially the families who are now mourning the loss of loved-ones. He added that “the UN stands ready, willing and able to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the recovery period, if requested to do so.”