Former UN Chief Arrives in Tehran


Former UN Chief Arrives in Tehran

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Former UN Secretary General and Chairman of the Elders Organization Kofi Annan arrived in Tehran earlier this morning for talks with Iranian officials.

The former UN chief arrived in Tehran along with former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who is also a member of the organization.

Other prominent members of the organization include South Africa’s internationally renowned Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, who will also join their colleagues later today.

Earlier, the group said in a statement that “the purpose of the three-day visit is to encourage and advance the new spirit of openness and dialogue between Iran and the international community, and to explore what could be done to enhance cooperation on regional issue."

It added that the delegation would exchange ideas with the Iranian leadership about peaceful ways of addressing conflict and healing sectarian divisions in the region.

Also Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the delegation will discuss "key regional and international issues, including Iranian proposal for a World against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) recently approved by the UN General Assembly.

The UN General Assembly on December 18 approved President Rouhani's proposal for a World against Violence and Extremism (WAVE).

Wave Act asks the United Nations member states to unite against extremism, violence and sectarian conflicts in all their forms.

The resolution, which received overwhelming approval in the global body, also necessitates “appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace and to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character.”

 

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