IRNA � Iran's envoy to UN said the sand and dust storm (SDS) phenomenon affecting 151 countries in the world is being dealt with through collective initiatives at the international arena, partly as the result of Tehran's diplomatic efforts.

'As the environmental issues and sustainable development are among top priorities of Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran has made intensive diplomatic efforts to use international capacity to confront the issue of SDS,' Gholamali Khoshroo told Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

According to the report by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, 151 countries are directly affected by the phenomenon, with 45 the mostly-hit, including 38 Asian and African countries, he said.

The report was released on September 6, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 72/225 on developments within UN nation system and covering the period from 2016 to mid 2018.

Therefore, there is the consensus that the issue should be addressed through a global alliance, the envoy said.

Khoshroo also noted that the report of UN Secretary General on SDS attests that the issue is a main agenda of the organization and the affiliated agencies, and a number of countries are supporting regional and global efforts to combat the negative impacts of the phenomenon.

Ratification of three resolutions at UN General Assembly and the annual follow-up, as well as a resolution in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation are among the main measures adopted to address the issue, the envoy said.

Iran hosted an international conference on ways to deal with SDS in cooperation with the UN. The conference was the first event of the kind, and culminated in ratification of ministers' declaration and a body of technical advices for regional and global cooperation on SDS, the Iranian diplomat said adding that some similar forums have since been held in Morocco and Italy.