WANA (Sep 12) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for stronger multilateralism and more inclusive global governance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, warning that the return of unilateralism and the use of financial and technological systems as instruments of pressure are weakening the foundations of global governance.

 

Addressing a closed-door meeting of BRICS leaders on Saturday, Pezeshkian said countries are increasingly interdependent in confronting common crises, while simultaneously facing a resurgence of unilateralism, pressure and the weaponization of financial and technological systems.

 

“The credibility of any system of governance depends on its ability to uphold the rights of all countries, both large and small,” Pezeshkian said.

 

He said genuine multilateralism cannot exist if the United Nations Charter fails to protect nations against the unlawful use of force or if international rules are applied differently to different countries.

 

Iran’s Experience

Pezeshkian cited U.S. and Israeli military aggression against Iran as an example of the shortcomings of the current international system.

 

He said the attacks had killed civilians and damaged vital economic and civilian infrastructure in Iran. He also referred to attacks on a school in Minab and a sports stadium in Lamerd, saying they demonstrated the consequences of U.S. and Israeli unilateralism and the inaction of the United Nations and its Security Council.

 

Pezeshkian also pointed to the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, saying the treatment of civilians there had challenged the conscience of humanity. “If the multilateral system cannot protect human lives and the sovereignty of countries against war, genocide and aggression, how can its legitimacy be trusted?” he said.

 

Four Pillars of Global Governance

Pezeshkian said Iran views inclusive global governance as resting on four main pillars: equal respect for national sovereignty and international law; reform of global governance institutions; turning multilateralism into practical economic cooperation; and stronger opposition to unilateral sanctions.

 

He called for reforms to the U.N. Security Council and international financial institutions to better reflect the changing realities of the world and the role of countries in the Global South.

 

He also advocated expanding trade in national currencies, strengthening independent payment mechanisms and increasing the role of institutions such as the New Development Bank.

 

Nuclear Facilities and Regional Security

Pezeshkian said sustainable security cannot be based on “security for some and insecurity for others.”

 

He called on BRICS members to oppose attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure and said peaceful nuclear facilities should be protected from attack or threats of attack, arguing that endangering such facilities poses a threat to international peace and security.

 

Palestine

Pezeshkian described the Palestinian issue as another test of the credibility of global governance. He said Palestinians have the right to self-determination and to live in security, and called on BRICS to play a more active role in ending the occupation and ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

 

Iran’s Priorities for BRICS

Pezeshkian outlined three areas in which Iran wants to see greater cooperation within BRICS: stronger political coordination in defense of the U.N. Charter and national sovereignty; expanded economic and financial cooperation independent of monopolistic instruments; and deeper cooperation in science, technology, energy and food security.

 

He also called for greater cohesion among BRICS members, resistance to illegal sanctions against member states, stronger coordination mechanisms and the establishment of a permanent secretariat to improve the implementation of joint decisions.

 

“We seek a world in which power does not replace law, sanctions do not replace cooperation, war does not replace dialogue, and monopoly does not replace participation,” Pezeshkian said.