Iran, 2012

We have gathered

here to ponder and work together in order to build a

better life for the entire human community and for our

nations.

Coming from Iran — the land of glory and beauty,

the land of knowledge, culture, wisdom and morality,

the cradle of philosophy and mysticism, the land of

compassion and light, the land of scientists, scholars,

philosophers, masters of literature and writers, the

land of Avicenna, Ferdowsi, Hafiz, Maulana, Attar,

Khayyám and Shahriar — I represent a great and

proud nation that is one of the founders of human

civilization and an inheritor of respected universal

values. I represent a conscious nation that is dedicated

to the cause of freedom, peace and compassion, a

nation that has experienced the agony and bitter times

of aggression and imposed wars and that profoundly

values the blessings of peace and stability.

I am now here for the eighth time in the eighth year

of my service to the noble people in this Assembly of

sisters and brothers from across the world to show to

the world that my noble nation, like its brilliant past,

has a global vision and welcomes any effort intended

to provide and promote peace, stability and tranquillity,

which can be only realized through the harmony,

cooperation and joint management of the world.

I am here to voice to the Assembly and to the

whole world the divine and humanitarian message of

the learned men and women of my country, a message

that Iran’s great orator and poet, Saadi, presented to

humanity in his eternal poetry:

“Human beings are members of a whole,

In creation of one essence and soul,

If one member is afflicted with pain,

Other members uneasy will remain.”

I have talked over the past seven years about the

current challenges, solutions and prospects of the

future world. Today, I want to raise and discuss such

issues from a different perspective. Thousands of years

have passed since the children of Adam — peace be

upon him — started to settle down in various parts of

the Earth. Peoples of different colours, inclinations,

languages, customs and traditions persistently pursued

their aspirations to build a noble society for a more

beautiful life, blessed with lasting peace, security and

happiness.

Despite all of the efforts on the part of righteous

people and justice-seekers and the sufferings and pains

endured by masses of people in the quest to achieve

happiness and victory, the history of humankind is

marked, except in rare cases, with unfulfilled dreams

and failures.

Imagine, for a moment, that there had been no

egoism, distrust, malicious behaviour or dictatorships,

with no one violating the rights of others. Imagine that

humanitarian values had been viewed as the criterion

for social dignity instead of aff luence and consumerism

Imagine if humankind had not experienced the

Dark Ages and if the centres of power had not hindered

the flourishing of knowledge and constructive thoughts.

Imagine if the Crusades and the ensuing periods of

slavery and colonialism had not happened, and if the

successors of the Dark Ages had followed a course

based on humanitarian principles.

Imagine if the First and Second World Wars in

Europe, the wars in Korea, Viet Nam, Africa, Latin

America and in the Balkans not happened, and if,

instead of the occupation of Palestine and imposition

of a fake Government, displacement and genocide of

millions of people around the globe, the truth behind

those wars based on justice had been revealed. Imagine

if Saddam Hussein had not invaded Iran and the big Powers had supported the rights of the Iranian people

instead of siding with Saddam.

Imagine if the tragic incident of 11 September and

the military actions against Afghanistan and Iraq that

left millions killed and homeless had not happened, and

if, instead of killing and throwing the culprit into the

sea without trial or without informing the world and

people of America, an independent fact-finding team

had been formed to make the general public aware of

the truth behind the incident and to prepare the way for

the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Imagine if extremism or terrorism had not been

used to secure political goals, if arms had been turned

into pens, and if military expenditures had been used to

promote well-being and amity among nations. Imagine

if the drums of ethnic, religious or racial conflicts not

been beaten, and if differences had not been used for

the purpose of advancing political agendas.

Imagine if the right to criticize the hegemonic

policies and actions of world Zionism had been

recognized so as to allow the world media to report

freely and shed light on the realities, instead of making

deceitful gestures of seeming to back freedom but in a

way that offends the sanctities and most sacred beliefs

of human beings and divine messengers, who, as the

purest and most compassionate human beings, are the

gift of the Almighty to humankind.

Imagine if the Security Council had not been under

the domination of a limited number of Governments,

thus preventing the United Nations from carrying out

its responsibilities in a just and equitable manner.

Imagine if international economic institutions had

not been under outside pressures and were allowed

to perform their duties and functions by using their

expertise based on fairness and justice.

Imagine if world capitalists had not weakened or

victimized national economies in order to make up for

their own mistakes. Imagine if integrity and honesty

had prevailed in international relations and if all nations

and Governments were treated equally and justly in

global efforts to build and expand happiness for all

humankind. And imagine if tens of other unfavourable

situations had not occurred throughout history, how

beautiful and pleasant our lives and how lovely the

history of humankind would have been.

Let us take a look at the state of the world today.

With regard to the economic situation, poverty is on the rise and the gap between the rich and the poor is

widening. The total foreign debt of 18 industrialized

countries exceeds $60 trillion, while the repayment

of half of that amount would be sufficient to eradicate

poverty in the world. Economies dependent on

consumerism and the exploitation of people only serve

the interests of a limited number of countries.

The creation of worthless paper assets through

influence and control over the world’s economic

centres constitutes the greatest abuse in history

and is considered a major contributor to the global

economic crisis. It has been reported that $32 trillion

in paper assets were printed by one Government alone.

Development planning, based on a capitalist economy,

which runs in a vicious circle, triggers unhealthy and

devastating competition and is a failed practice.

With regard to the cultural situation, from the

standpoint of the politicians who control the centres of

world power, concepts such as moral principles, purity,

honesty, integrity, compassion and self-sacrifice are

typically rejected as defunct and outdated notions and

an impediment to the accomplishment of their goals.

They openly talk about their disbelief in the relevance

of ethics to political and social affairs.

Authentic and indigenous cultures, the product

of centuries — old national efforts, the common

denominator of which reflects profound human feelings

and love towards beauty and is the force that breeds

diversity, cultural life and social dynamism, are under

constant attacks and risk extinction. A specific lifestyle,

devoid of individual or social identity, is being imposed

on nations by the organized and systematic destruction

and the humiliation of identities.

The family, the most noble social institution and

a centre emanating love and humankind, has been

seriously weakened and its constructive role is on the

decline. The sublime role and nature of women as

heavenly beings, manifestations of the divine image

and beauty and the main pillars of every society, have

been damaged and abused by the powerful and the

wealthy. The human soul has become frustrated and the

essence of humankind humiliated and suppressed.

With regard to the political and security situation,

unilateralism, the application of double standards

and the imposition of wars, instability and foreign

occupation in order to ensure economic interests and

expand dominance over sensitive centres of the world

have become the order of the day. The arms race and intimidation by nuclear weapons and weapons of mass

destruction by the hegemonic Powers have become

prevalent. Testing new generations of ultra-modern

weaponry and the pledge to disclose those armaments

in due time is now being used as part of a new language

of threat against nations to coerce them into accepting

a new era of hegemony. The continued threat by the

uncivilized Zionists to resort to military action against

our great nation is a clear example of this bitter reality.

A state of mistrust has cast its shadow on international

relations, while there is no trusted or just authority

to help resolve world conflicts. No one feels secure

or safe, even those who have stockpiled thousands of

atomic bombs and other arms in their arsenals.

With regard to the environment, which is a common

resource and heritage of all humankind that ensures

man’s survival, it has been seriously damaged and

devastated as a result of the irresponsible and excessive

use of resources, particularly by capitalists across the

world. That situation that has caused massive drought,

flood, and pollution, inf licting irreparable damage and

seriously jeopardizing human life on Earth.

Despite advances in scientific knowledge and

technology, the aspirations of Adam’s children have

not yet been fulfilled. Does anybody believe that the

continuation of the current order is capable of bringing

about happiness for human society? Today everyone

is discontented and disappointed with the current

international order. Human beings do not deserve the

continuous sufferings brought about by the present

situation. The God of wisdom and compassion, who

loves all human beings, has not ordained such a destiny

for humankind. He has ordered humans, as the supreme

creatures, to make the best and most beautiful life on

Earth along the lines of justice, love and dignity.

We must therefore think of a solution. Who is

responsible for all the sufferings and failures? Some

people try to justify it by saying that everything is

normal and a ref lection of divine will, thereby putting

the blame on States for all prevalent vices and evils.

They are of the opinion that it is States that succumb to

discrimination and tyranny. It is States that surrender

to dictatorship and greed.

It is States that submit to the hegemony and

arrogance of expansionist Powers. It is States that are

influenced by the propaganda tactics of other Powers,

and most of the evils in our world are the result of their passivity and willingness to live under the sway of the

world Powers.

Such are the arguments raised by those who tend

to blame States for the unfavourable conditions that

prevail around the world, with the aim of justifying

the attitudes and destructive behaviour of the ruling

minority. Such supposedly genuine claims can in no

way justify continuing with the current oppressive

international order, because in fact poverty is being

imposed on States, and the Powers’ are pursuing their

ambitions and goals either by deceit or by resort to

force. To justify their inhuman actions, they promote

the theory of the survival of the fittest.

Yet in principle, what most Governments and States

and their peoples are seeking is fairness; they submit

humbly to what is right and what they want is to foster

dignity, prosperity and constructive relations. The

vast majority of people have no interest in expanding

their territories, nor do they seek enormous wealth.

They have no disputes among themselves on matters

of principle and have never played a part in unleashing

the disastrous events of history. I do not believe that

Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists or others

have any problems among themselves, or are hostile

to one another. They get along comfortably and live

together in an atmosphere of peace and amity. They are

all devoted to the cause of justice, purity and love.

The general tendency of States has always been

to work towards positive common aspirations to the

qualities that reflect great beauty and nobility, divine

and human. The current abysmal state of the world

and the bitter incidents of its history are due mainly to

iniquitous management by the self-proclaimed centres

of power, which have dedicated themselves to the Devil.

The order that is rooted in the anti-human concepts of

slavery and colonialism, old and new, is responsible

for poverty, corruption, ignorance, oppression and

discrimination in every corner of the world.

The current world order has certain characteristics.

It is founded on materialism and thus is unmoored

from moral values. It has been shaped by selfishness,

deception, hatred and animosity. It believes in

labelling human beings, humiliating other nations and

dominating and trampling on the rights of others. It

seeks to expand its domination by spreading discord

and conflict among ethnic groups and nations. It aims

to monopolize power, wealth, science and technology.

The policies of the world’s main centres of power are based on the principles of domination and conquest.

Such Powers seek only supremacy; they do not desire

peace and they definitely do not promote it in the

service of their nations.

Are we to believe that those who spend hundreds

of millions of dollars on election campaigns have the

interests of the peoples of the world at heart? Despite

what the big political parties in the capitalist countries

claim, the money that goes into election campaigns is

usually nothing but an investment on the part of the

ruling parties. In such countries, people have to vote for

parties that represent only a small percentage of voters.

The will and views of the masses have little impact or

influence on big decisions, especially those concerning

major domestic and foreign policies in the United States

and Europe. Their voices go unheard even when they

constitute 99 per cent of their societies. Human and

ethical values are sacrificed in order to win votes, and

any willingness to listen to the demands of the people

has become merely a tool to be used at election time.

The current world order is discriminatory and based on

injustice.

What should be done, and what is the way out of the

current situation? There is no doubt that the world is in

need of a new order and a fresh way of thinking. We

need an order that recognizes man as God’s supreme

creature, possessing both material and spiritual

qualities and a pure and divine nature, filled with the

desire to seek justice and truth; that aims to restore

human dignity and believes in universal happiness and

the possibility of perfection; that seeks peace, lasting

security and welfare for everyone, in all walks of life,

around the globe; that is founded on trust and kindness

and brings our thoughts, hearts and hands closer

together and in which rulers love their people; that is

just and fair, makes everybody equal before the law,

and has no double standards; that allows world leaders

to see themselves as committed servants of their people,

not their superiors; and that sees authority as a sacred

gift from a people to its rulers, not an opportunity to

amass power and wealth.

Can such an order exist without the contribution

of all to the way the world is run? It is abundantly

evident that when all peoples and Governments start

to think, commit themselves to the aforementioned

principles, focus on internationally important issues

and participate in decision-making, it will be possible

for their desires to be realized. In raising collective

awareness, the possibility of governing the world jointly becomes more real and the chances of putting it

into practice increase.

Together, therefore, we must trust in God Almighty

and stand up to the rapacious minority with all our

strength in order to isolate them, so that they can no

longer decide the destiny of other nations. We must

believe in the bounty of God’s blessing and mercy

and seek it within the integration and unity of human

society. Governments that are born of free national will

must believe in their own unlimited capabilities and

know that they can achieve victory if they fight fiercely

to combat an unjust world order and to defend human

rights.

We must lay the ground for united world rule by

insisting on justice in all its aspects, strengthening

unity and friendship and expanding economic, social,

cultural and political interaction in independent and

specialized organizations. We must care about the

interests of all the people of the world and join hands

to reform the current United Nations entities with joint

efforts and cooperation. The United Nations belongs to

its Member States, and therefore the existence of any

discrimination among those Members is a great insult

to all. Any discrimination or monopolization of power

in the Organization is unacceptable.

We must make a more coordinated effort to create,

promote and firmly establish the language needed

to enable us to design the bodies needed for a united

world rule that is imbued with justice, love, freedom

and amity. Participation in global management is the

basis of lasting peace.

The Non-Aligned Movement, the second largest

transregional group after the United Nations, held its

sixteenth summit in Tehran with the motto of “Joint

global management”, cognizant of the importance

of this issue and of the shortcomings of the current

mismanagement in the emergence of crises and

problems afflicting the world today. During the summit,

participating Heads of State and representatives of

more than 120 countries underscored the necessity of

more serious and effective participation of all nations

in global management.

Fortunately, we are now at a historic juncture. On

the one hand, Marxism is no longer around; it has been

practically eliminated from management systems. On

the other hand, capitalism is bogged down in a self-

made quagmire. Indeed, it has reached a deadlock and

appears to be unable to come up with any noteworthy solutions to the world’s various economic, political,

security and cultural problems. The Non-Aligned

Movement is proud to again emphasize the rightfulness

of its historic decision to reject the power polarities and

unbridled hegemony ruling the world. On behalf of the

members of Non-Aligned Movement, I would like to

invite all the countries in the world to play a more active

role in making it possible for everybody to contribute to

global decision-making processes. The need to remove

structural barriers and to encourage the process of

universal participation in global management has never

been greater.

The United Nations lacks the efficiency to bring

about the required changes. If this inefficiency persists,

nations will lose hope in the ability of global structures

to defend their rights. If the United Nations is not

restructured, international interactions and the spirit of

collective global cooperation will be tarnished, and the

standing of the United Nations will be damaged.

The United Nations, which was established with

the purpose of expanding justice and reinstituting

universal human rights, has in practice been engulfed

by discrimination, preparing a supportive ground for

domination by a few powerful countries. Consequently,

United Nations inefficiency has increased. Moreover,

the existence of the veto right and monopolization of

power in the Security Council have made it nearly

impossible to defend the rights of the nations.

The issue of United Nations restructuring is vital;

the need has been emphasized time and again by State

representatives. That goal that yet to be accomplished.

I would like to urge the States Members of the United

Nations and the Secretary-General and his colleagues

to place the issue high on their agenda and to devise

an appropriate mechanism to make it happen. The

Non-Aligned Movement stands ready to aid the United

Nations in that essential endeavour.

Creating peace and lasting security with a decent

life for all, although a great and historic mission, can

be accomplished. Almighty God has not left us alone in

that mission and has said that it will surely happen. If

it does not, then that will contradict his wisdom. God

has promised us a man of kindness, a man who loves

people and absolute justice, a man who is a perfect

human being, named the Imam Al-Mahdi — a man

who will come in the company of Jesus Christ and the

righteous. By using the inherent potential of all the

worthy men and women of all nations — I repeat, the inherent potential of all the worthy men and women of

all nations — he will lead humanity into achieving its

glorious and eternal ideals.

The arrival of the ultimate saviour will mark a new

beginning, a rebirth and a resurrection. It will be the

beginning of peace, lasting security and genuine life.

His arrival will be the end of oppression, immorality,

poverty and discrimination and the beginning of

justice, love and empathy. He will come, and he will

cut through ignorance, superstition and prejudice by

opening the gates of science and knowledge. He will

establish a world brimming with prudence, and he

will prepare the ground for the collective, active and

constructive participation of all in global management.

He will come to grant kindness, hope, freedom and

dignity to all humankind as a gift. He will come so that

humankind will taste the pleasure of being human and

being in the company of other humans.

He will come so that hands will be joined, hearts

will be filled with love, and thoughts will be purified and

will be at the service of the security, welfare, happiness,

well-being and peace of all. He will come to return all

the children of Adam, irrespective of their skin color,

to their innate origin after a long history of separation

and division, linking them to eternal happiness and joy.

The arrival of the ultimate saviour, Jesus Christ and the

righteous, will bring about an eternally bright future

for humankind, not by force or by waging wars but

through thought-awakening and developing kindness

in everyone. Their arrival will breathe new life into the

cold and frozen hearts and bodies of the world. He will

bless humankind with a spring that puts an end to our

winter of ignorance, poverty and war with the tidings

of a season of blossoming. He will end the winter of

ignorance for humankind.

Now we can sense the sweet scent and the soulful

breeze of the spring, a spring that has just begun and

that does not belong to a specific race, ethnicity, nation

or region, a spring that will soon reach all the territories

in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. He will be

the spring of all the justice seekers, freedom lovers

and the followers of heavenly prophets. He will be the

spring of humankind and the greenery of all ages. Let

us join hands and clear the way for his eventual arrival,

with empathy and cooperation, in harmony and unity.

Let us march on this path to salvation for the thirsty

souls of humankind to taste immortal joy and grace. Long live this spring, long live this spring — again

and again, long live this spring.