FM Pursuing Balanced, Dynamic Foreign Policy at United Nations

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said he would pursue the government’s “balanced foreign policy” and “active, dynamic and smart diplomacy” during the United Nations General Assembly.
“I hope we can use this opportunity to hold consultations with counterparts toward developing foreign relations with all regions of the world and target countries,” he told reporters upon arrival in New York on Monday, IRNA reported. 
He said about 50 meetings have been arranged for him during the four-day stay where he would pursue major policies, including economic diplomacy.
The foreign minister will also have a meeting in Iran’s permanent mission with officials from the Interests Section of Iran in the United States to settle the affairs and issues of Iranian expatriates. 
He later said in a tweet that separate meetings with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and foreign ministers of France and Britain are on the agenda.
Although bilateral meetings have been scheduled with the remaining members of the 2015 nuclear deal, no joint ministerial session has been scheduled, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh who accompanies Amir-Abdollahian in New York. 
The agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was originally signed between Iran and the P5+1 (France, Britain, the US, China and Russia plus Germany), but the US pulled out unilaterally in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, which reacted by rowing back on its commitments. 
Talks are underway in Vienna, Austria, to revive the deal, but have been paused since June, following a change of government in Iran. 
Diplomats were tentatively planning for a ministerial meeting of the JCPOA parties on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual UN gathering.
“The JCPOA will be among the topics of discussion with ministers of the 4+1 who are present here, but holding a joint meeting is not on the agenda,” Khatibzadeh said.
Borrell, who acts as coordinator for the nuclear deal, also confirmed that the five nations will not meet with Iran in a joint session. 
“But the important thing is not this ministerial meeting, but the will of all parties to resume negotiations in Vienna,” he said, according to Reuters.  

Refugee Crisis 

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 14, with the General Debate starting on Sep. 21.  
Amir-Abdollahian is representing Iran in the UNGA while President Ebrahim Raeisi is staying home, only to address the General Debate virtually on Tuesday in view of health risks from the Covid-19 spread. 
He arrived in New York on Monday at the head of a delegation and was received by Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN Majid Takht-Ravanchi. 
He held a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Tuesday where both sides stressed the need for increased consultations between Iran and the UNHCR. 
Amir-Abdollahian stressed the need to attend to humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan which is facing chaos following the US irresponsible exit. 
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing the displacement of Afghan people inside this country and their influx into neighboring countries,” he said.
He noted that Iran has admitted over four million Afghans in four decades and has tried to host them well despite sanctions and economic pressure, and most recently the coronavirus pandemic.
“But it is essential that international organizations fulfill their duties regarding the humanitarian status in this country more actively so as to prevent further displacement of the gentle people of Afghanistan,” he added.    
Grandi appreciated Iran’s generous hosting of the refugees, reiterating UNHCR’s commitments toward the conditions of refugees, including from Afghanistan.
He reviewed the latest developments and human rights challenges in Afghanistan and presented a report of his trip to this country and UNHCR’s plans.