UN Envoy Lauds Iranˈs Poverty Control Efforts

Qazvin, Jan 29, IRNA -- The UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran Gary Lewis said on Tuesday that Iran has rich experience in poverty control. Speaking to Governor General of Qazvin, Lewis said the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and other supportive institutions have made proper efforts in this connection. He hoped for stronger engagement and cooperation between Iran and the UN in sharing experience to eradicate poverty. ˈPoverty is a dirty phenomenon against which drastic campaign should be launched through all-out efforts of all UN members and agencies,ˈ he added. ˈIranˈs experiences in this field can serve as an effective mechanism for eradication of the sinister phenomenon.ˈ He went on to say that divine religions, including Islam, have emphasized the need to uproot poverty. ˈWe also strongly believe in promotion of peace and justice as a way to eradicate poverty.ˈ He said the UN plans for poverty control fall in six groups as Iran has sought the UN cooperation in the domains. Helping elimination of poverty, better health through various programs including AIDS, malaria and TB campaign, environment protection and harnessing natural crises and helping those rendered homeless by natural disasters and fighting drugs and addiction are among the UN plans in Iran, he said./end