IRAN Statement at the Second Meeting of the Open-ended IEG on Crimes that Affect the Environment under Agenda Item 4 - ( 24 February 2026)

Agenda Item 4: Consideration of possible responses to the gaps identified including the possibility feasibility and merits of any additional protocol to the Organized Crime Convention.

Statement

By the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

At the Second Meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Group on Crimes that Affect the Environment

 

(24 February 2026)

 

Agenda Item 4: Consideration of possible responses to the gaps identified, including the possibility, feasibility and merits of any additional protocol to the Organized Crime Convention.

 

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Mr. Chairman,

The Islamic Republic of Iran fully shares the concerns about the negative impacts of certain crimes on the environment. However, we do not share the views that favor the development of an additional protocol as “the best option” for preventing and combatting such crimes.

As we stated during the consideration of the second agenda item, in our view, UNTOC alone is a sufficiently comprehensive, flexible and effective legal framework for preventing and combatting crimes that affect the environment.

We have listened carefully to the arguments advanced in both the first and second meetings. Respectfully, to be honest we remain unconvinced that an additional protocol is necessary, meritorious, or would add substantive value, as the current challenge is not the result of merely the lack of international norms. We appreciate the thoughtful interventions from several other delegations today that have cast doubt on the idea of creation of any additional protocol.

Perhaps, there might be a minor legal gap in a certain area, but the challenge that we face today is not only the result of such a possible gap. We cannot and must not ignore or underestimate many other underlying factors leading to this challenge.

It is exactly based on this background that the UNGA, in its resolution 80/227 of 18 December 2025, have expressly recognized “the need for a balanced, integrated, evidence-based, sustainable, comprehensive and multidisciplinary

approach and response to address the complex and multifaceted challenges related to crimes that affect the environment”.

Accordingly, we need to adopt a comprehensive approach in dealing with this subject. Obviously, in so doing, we must:

first, take duly into account the highly complex and multifaceted nature of the challenge – as is explicitly referred to in the UNGA’s aforesaid resolution;

second, explore, if not all, but at least all major underlying root causes of the challenge that we want to address;

third, search for, if not all, at least all main solutions with a view to finding the best possible practical solution to the challenge;

fourth, avoid, if not all, at least any major risk associated with any possible solution, such as overlapping and duplication of international norms and tools – some of such risks have also been mentioned in the resolutions of both the Conference of States Parties and the UNGA; and

fifth, take this essential principle into account that ultimately, any recommendation must necessarily be “consensual” -- as explicitly stipulated in resolution 12/4 of the Conference of States Parties.

Finally, calling for adoption of a cautious, measured, and pragmatic approach, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to work closely with all interested States to make this meeting of the Experts Group a success.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.