Iran, 2009

I thank Almighty God

for granting me the opportunity once again to address

this important international forum.

At the outset, I wish to begin by congratulating

Mr. Ali Treki on his assumption of the presidency of

the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session, and to

wish him every success. I would also like to extend my

thanks to Mr. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, President

of the General Assembly at its sixty-third session, for

his excellent stewardship of the work of the Assembly

during his term.

Over the past four years, I have spoken about the

main challenges facing our world. I have talked about

the underlying causes of those challenges and about the

need for world Powers to review their outlook and

work out new mechanisms to address the pressing

international problems before us. I have also talked

about the two conflicting outlooks that prevail in our

world. One is based on the predominance of its

materialistic interests through spreading inequality and

oppression, poverty and deprivation, aggression,

occupation and deception and looks to bring the entire

world under its control and to impose its will on other

nations. That outlook has produced nothing but

frustration, disappointment and a dark future for

humankind as a whole.

The other outlook is one that espouses a belief in

the oneness of the Almighty God, follows the teachings

of His messengers, respects human dignity and seeks to

build a secure world for all members of the human

community in which everybody can equally enjoy the

blessings of sustainable peace and spirituality. This is

an outlook that respects all human beings, nations and

venerable cultures in defiance of all types of

discrimination in the world. It is also one that commits

itself to an ongoing fight to promote equality for all

before the law on the basis of justice and fraternity

while laying a solid foundation to guarantee equal

access for all human beings in their quest to excel in

knowledge and science.

Time and again, I have emphasized the need to

make fundamental changes in the current outlook on

the world and on humankind, so as to be able to create

a brighter tomorrow.

Today, I wish to share with the Assembly a few

points about the changes that should take place. First,

the continuation of the current circumstances in the

world is clearly impossible. The present inequitable

and unfavourable conditions run counter to the very

nature of humankind and move in a direction that

contravenes the truth and the goal behind the creation

of the world. It is no longer possible to inject trillions

of dollars of unreal wealth into the world economy

simply by printing worthless paper assets or by

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transferring inflation and social and economic

problems to others by creating severe budget deficits.

The engine of unbridled capitalism, with its

unfair system of thought, has reached the end of road

and is unable to move. The era of capitalist thinking

and the imposition of one’s thoughts on the

international community, which is intended to

dominate the world in the name of globalization, as

well as the age of setting up empires, is over. It is no

longer possible to humiliate nations or to impose

double standard on the world community.

It is necessary to delegitimize and reject any

approach that holds up the realization of the interests

of certain Powers as the only measure of democracy or

employs despicable forms of intimidation and deceit in

the name of freedom and democratic practices.

Approaches by which dictators are portrayed as

democrats lack legitimacy and must be totally rejected.

Time has come to an end for those who define

democracy and freedom and set standards while they

themselves are the first to violate those fundamental

principles. They can in fact no longer be both judge

and executioner or challenge real democratically

established Governments.

I would like to say again that the time has passed

for a group of people who believe that they alone can

define concepts such as democracy and freedom and

put forth the criteria for those definitions while

simultaneously violating the very principles to which

they claim to aspire. The continuation of Governments

is based on the rule of the people. The development of

nations and increasing freedom worldwide will no

longer allow them to continue their hypocrisy and

vicious attitudes. For those reasons, most nations,

including the people of the United States, are waiting

for real and profound change. They have welcomed

and will continue to welcome change.

How can it be possible that inhuman policies in

Palestine have driven the entire population of the

country from their homeland for over 60 years by

means of force and coercion, attacking them with all

types of weapons, including banned weapons, and

denying them their legitimate right of self-defence,

and, to the astonishment of the international

community, calling the occupiers peacemakers and

portraying the victims as terrorists?

How can the crimes of the occupiers against

defenceless women and children and the destruction of

their homes, farms, hospitals and schools be supported

unconditionally by certain Governments and, at the

same time, oppressed men and women be subjected the

harshest economic blockade, depriving them of

resources to meet their basic needs, including food,

water and medicine, and leading to genocide? They are

not even allowed to rebuild their homes, destroyed

during the 22-day barbaric attacks of the Zionist

regime, with winter approaching, while the aggressors

and their supporters deceitfully continue their

rhetorical defence of human rights in order to put

others under pressure.

It is unacceptable for a small minority to

dominate the politics, economy and culture of large

parts of the world through complex systems,

establishing a de facto new form of slavery, and

harming the reputation of other nations, even European

nations and the United States, to achieve its racist

goals.

It is unacceptable that nations several thousand

miles from the Middle East send their troops to

intervene militarily and to promote war, bloodshed,

aggression, terror and fear in our region, the Middle

East, while brushing aside the protests of nations in the

region concerned about their future and their national

security, thereby violating peace and interfering in the

affairs of others.

Such standpoints are baffling. We only have to

look at the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. A

country cannot remain under military occupation in the

name of the fight against terrorism and drug

trafficking, when the production of illicit drugs has

grown, terrorism has increased and tightened its grip,

thousands of innocent people have been killed, injured

or displaced, infrastructure has been destroyed and

regional security has been seriously jeopardized.

Yet those who have created the current disastrous

situation continue to blame others. How can they talk

about friendship and solidarity with other nations while

they expand their military bases in various parts of the

world, including Latin America. That situation cannot

continue. It is increasingly impossible to promote

expansionist and inhuman policies on the basis of

militaristic logic. The logic of coercion and

intimidation will have dire consequences and

exacerbate current global problems.

It is not acceptable that the military budgets of

some Governments far exceed the budgets of entire

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countries of the world. Some countries export billions

of dollars of arms every year, stockpile chemical,

biological and nuclear weapons, establish military

bases or have a military presence in other countries

while accusing others of militarism, and mobilize all

their global resources to impede the scientific and

technological progress of other nations under the

pretext of countering arms proliferation.

It is not acceptable that the United Nations and

the Security Council, whose decisions should represent

all nations and Governments through the application of

democratic and popular methods of decision-making,

be dominated by a few Governments who seek to serve

their own interests.

Above all, in a world where culture, ideas and

public opinion should be the only determining factors,

the present situation cannot continue and a

fundamental change seems inevitable. We must strive

to establish a new world system.

Secondly, any change must be deep-seated both

in theory and in practice, encompassing all spheres of

our life. Outdated methods of government that have

caused the current problems in society cannot be used

to bring about change and create a better world.

Liberalism and capitalism, in particular the types that

seek to dominate the world and to alienate people from

spiritual and moral values, will never bring humankind

happiness, since they are the principal source of all

disasters, wars, poverty and deprivation. We have all

seen how unfair economic structures controlled by

certain political interests have been used to plunder the

national wealth of countries for the benefit of a group

of corrupt businesses. Existing structures are thus

incapable of addressing the challenges that we face.

The political and economic structures created after the

Second World War that sought to dominate the world

have failed, in short, to promote justice and lasting

security.

Rulers whose hearts do not beat with love for

humankind and who have abandoned ideas of justice

can never provide humankind with the promise of

peace and friendship. By the grace of God, Marxism is

no more; it is history now. And the unhindered growth

of capitalism will certainly meet the same fate because,

based on the divine tradition of a principle in the Holy

Koran, the deceitful one, like a bubble on the surface

of water, will disappear. Only that which eternally

serves the interests of human societies survives.

We must therefore all remain vigilant to prevent

the pursuit of colonialism and discriminatory and

inhuman goals disguised under slogans for change or in

any new format. The world needs to undergo

fundamental changes, and we must all engage

collectively to bring them about in the right way.

Through such efforts, no one and no Government

would consider itself an exception to change or

superior to others, or try to impose its will on others by

proclaiming world leadership.

Thirdly, all of the problems that exist in our

world today emanate from the fact that rulers have

distanced themselves from human values, morality and

the teachings of divine messengers. Regrettably, in the

current state of international relations, selfishness and

insatiable greed have taken the place of such

humanitarian concepts as love, sacrifice, dignity and

justice. Belief in the one God has been replaced with

self-belief. Some have sought to take the place of God

and insist on imposing their values and wishes on

others. Lies have taken the place of honesty, hypocrisy

has replaced integrity and selfishness has taken the

place of sacrifice. Nowadays, deception in interactions

is called foresight and statesmanship. Looting the

wealth of other nations is called development efforts.

Occupation is introduced as a gift in promotion of

freedom and democracy. And defenceless nations are

subjected to repression in the name of the defence of

human rights.

Global problems will be resolved, justice

administered and peace maintained only through the

collective determination and cooperation of all nations

and States. The era of a world polarized by the

premises of hegemony or the domination by a few

Governments is over. Today, we must rise together

through collective commitment against the present

challenges. We must take change seriously and work

collectively to help others return to basic moral and

human values.

Messengers were sent by God to show the light of

truth to humankind. They came to make people aware

of their individual and social obligations. Living in

piety, having faith in Allah and judgment of human

behaviour or conduct in the next world, believing in

the primacy of justice in both lives, seeking happiness,

well-being and security in the happiness, well-being

and security of others, respecting humankind, making

efforts to expand love and compassion against

hostility — these were all paramount in the teachings

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offered by the divine messengers of God, from Adam

to Noah, Noah to Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ and

the last Prophet, Muhammad, may peace be upon all of

them. All of them came to eliminate war and

ignorance, eradicate poverty and uproot discrimination

in order to spread happiness to the entire world. They

are the best gifts that almighty God has granted to

human beings. If the belief in Entezar — that is, in

patiently awaiting the return of justice to Earth — can

become a common goal and we join hands to achieve

prosperity for all, then there will be greater and more

genuine hope for reform.

Fourthly, in my opinion, we have several

important matters before us. The Secretary-General and

the General Assembly can take the lead by undertaking

the necessary measures to fulfil our shared goals on the

basis of the following actions.

First, the United Nations should be restructured

in order to transform this world body into an efficient

and fully democratic organization, capable of playing

an impartial, equitable and effective role in the

international relations. The structure of the Security

Council should be reformed, especially by abolishing

the discriminatory privilege of the veto right. The

inalienable rights of the Palestinian people should be

restored by holding a referendum and free elections in

Palestine to prepare an environment in which all

Palestinian populations, including Muslims, Christians

and Jews, can live together in peace and harmony. All

types of interference in the affairs of Iraq, Afghanistan

and the Middle East, as well as all countries of Africa,

Latin America, Asia and Europe, must be ended.

As our great Prophet said, a Government may

survive with blasphemy, but never with oppression.

The Palestinians continue to suffer oppression and their

rights continue to be violated. Yet another group of

Palestinians who lived in al-Quds al-Sharif were forced

out of their homes as the occupiers and usurpers

continue to destroy their residential area. Bombings in

Afghanistan and Pakistan have not yet stopped, the

Guantanamo prison has not yet been shut down, and

there are still secret prisons in Europe.

The continuation of the present situation adds to

hostilities and violence. Oppression and military

aggression must be stopped. Regrettably, official

reports concerning the brutalities of the Zionist regime

in Gaza have not all been published. The Secretary-

General and the United Nations have crucial

responsibilities in this respect, and the international

community is impatiently waiting for the aggressors

and the murderers of the defenceless people of Gaza to

be punished.

Regarding the second action, current economic

structures must be reformed and a new international

economic order set up based on human and moral

values and obligations. A new course is needed that

would help promote justice and progress worldwide by

allowing the potential and talents of all nations to

flourish, thus bringing well-being to all and for future

generations.

The third action is that international political

relations must undergo reform on the basis of

promotion of lasting peace and friendship, the

eradication of arms races and the elimination of all

nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to pave the

way for all nations to have access to advanced and

peaceful technologies for the advancement of the

human race.

The fourth action is that we should reform

cultural structures, promote respect for the diverse

customs and traditions of all nations and foster moral

values and spirituality aimed at strengthening the

institution of the family, which is the backbone of all

human societies.

For the fifth action, worldwide efforts must be

made to protect the environment and fully observe the

international agreements and arrangements to prevent

the annihilation of nature’s non-renewable resources.

My fifth point is that our nation has successfully

gone through a glorious and fully democratic election,

opening a new chapter for our country in the march

towards national progress and enhanced international

interactions. Once again, a large majority has entrusted

me with this heavy responsibility.

And now, I want to declare that our great nation,

which has made significant contributions both to world

civilization and to the Islamic Republic of Iran itself,

and as one of the most democratic and progressive

Governments in the world, is ready to mobilize all its

cultural, political and economic capabilities to engage

in a constructive process aimed at addressing the

international concerns and confronting the challenges

that face human society. Our country, the builder of

cultures, has itself been a principal victim of blind

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terrorism and the target of all-out military aggression

during the first decade of its revolution.

Throughout the past 30 years, we have been

subject to the hostile attitudes of those who at one time

supported, with all their might, Saddam’s military

aggression and his use of chemical weapons against us,

and who at another time decided to take military action

in Iraq to get rid of the same man.

Today, our nation seeks to create a world in

which justice and compassion will prevail. We

announce our commitment to participating in the

process of building lasting peace and security

worldwide for all nations, based on justice, spirituality

and human dignity, while being dedicated to strongly

defending our legitimate and legal rights.

To achieve those goals, our nation is prepared to

warmly shake all hands which are extended to us in

good faith. No nation can claim to be free of the need

to change and reform in this journey towards

perfection. We welcome real and humane changes and

stand ready to actively engage in fundamental global

reforms.

Therefore, we emphasize that the only path to

continued safety and security is to return to

monotheism and justice. That is the greatest hope and

opportunity of all ages and generations. Without belief

in God and commitment to the cause of justice, along

with the fight against injustice and discrimination, the

world structure will not be corrected.

Man is at the centre of the universe. Man’s

unique feature is his humanity, a humanity that seeks

justice, piety, love, knowledge, awareness and all other

higher values. These human values should be

supported, and each and every fellow human being

should be given the opportunity to develop them.

Neglecting any of them is tantamount to the omission

of an essential aspect of humanity. These are common

elements which connect all human communities and

which constitute the basis of peace, security and

friendship.

Divine religions pay attention to all aspects of

human life, including obedience to God, morality,

justice, fighting oppression and endeavouring to

establish just and good governance. The Prophet

Abraham called for the oneness of God against

Nimrod, as the Prophet Moses did the same against the

Pharaohs. Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad,

may peace be upon them, did the same against the

oppressors of their own time. All of these men were

threatened with death and were forced out of their

homelands. Without resistance and objection, the face

of the Earth will not be rid of injustice.

I turn now to my final point. The world is in

continuous change and evolution. Mankind’s promised

destiny is the establishment of a pure humane life. This

will come about when justice prevails around the globe

and when every single human being enjoys respect and

dignity. That will be the moment when mankind’s path

to moral and spiritual perfection will be opened and his

journey to God and the manifestation of God’s divine

names will come to be. Mankind should strive to

represent God’s knowledge and wisdom, his

compassion and benevolence, his justice and fairness,

his power and art, and his kindness and forgiveness.

These will all come true under the rule of the

perfect Man, the last divine source on Earth, Hazrat

Mahdi, peace be upon him. He will be an offspring of

the Prophet of Islam, who will re-emerge, and Jesus

Christ, peace be upon him. Other noble and pious men

will accompany him in the accomplishment of this

grand universal mission. This is the belief in entezar:

waiting patiently for the Imam to return; waiting

patiently for the rule of goodness and the governance

of the best, which he promises. This is a universal

human notion and a source of the hope of nations for

the betterment of the world.

They will come, and with the help of righteous

people and true believers will realize man’s long-

standing desire for freedom, perfection, maturity,

security, tranquillity, peace and beauty. They will come

to put an end to war and aggression and to reveal all

knowledge to the world, as well as spirituality and

friendship. Yes indeed, mankind’s bright future will

come.

In waiting for that brilliant time to come and in a

collective commitment, let us each do our part to pave

the way and prepare the conditions for building that

bright future. Long live love and spirituality. Long live

peace and security. Long live justice and freedom.