New York, April 22, IRNA - The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully committed at the highest level to the effective implementation of the Agenda 2030 in its entirety, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here.

The government pursues a strategic approach towards sustainable development, and despite various challenges and constraints, including unfair restrictions and sanctions, has set out a transitional course to achieving sustainable development objectives, Zarif said in an address to the special session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly -- High-Level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, on Thursday.

The full text of his address to the session is as follows:

'National priorities have been set for addressing such major issues as poverty eradication, sustainable management of water and sanitation, renewable energy resources, housing, combating desertification, deforestation and dust storm, energy efficiency improvement, ensuring health and disaster risk reduction and management, in a way that nobody and no section of the society is left behind.

'We have already started national preparations for facilitating our engagements in and follow-up of the Paris Agreement and tomorrow I will sign this Agreement on behalf of my Government.

'The implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires more effective international support and solidarity.

'The United Nations should play the critical coordinating role in strengthening the global partnership for sustainable development. In this regard, while each country has the primary responsibility for its own development, the objectives of Agenda 2030 should be facilitated by ambitious, fully inclusive and non-discriminatory provision of means of implementation for all developing countries.

'There are many common challenges and opportunities in our region in a collective efforts towards peace, stability and development.

'We continue to seek to strengthen our collaboration with countries at the regional and sub-regional levels with a view to setting an efficient framework to move towards achieving our regional sustainable development goals.

'The most important priority is a joint global and regional effort to fight extremist violence which is ravaging our region and beyond.

'Addressing serious environmental challenges, particularly dust storms, is another priority which requires responsible policies and cooperation at the national, regional and global levels.

'I wish to conclude by expressing our sincere hope that the historic global blueprint document, that is, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, will be instrumental in bringing us together for furthering our collaboration and partnership towards achieving the SDGs.

'We are confident that, with the spirit of true partnership, cooperation and solidarity, we can transform our commitments into action,' concluded Zarif.

By IRNA