UN Resident Coordinator for Iran Stefan Priesner , praised the role of cooperatives in driving inclusive economic growth and social development during the Second International Cooperative Congress in Tehran.

The big picture

Priesner emphasized that cooperatives—rooted in community and shared responsibility—align closely with the UN’s vision for inclusive and sustainable development. He noted that Iran and the UN have worked together for decades on initiatives that support health, climate action, disaster response, drug control, and refugee assistance.
 

Why it matters

The remarks come as the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary and 75 years of continuous presence in Iran. Priesner highlighted the depth of cooperation between the UN and the Iranian government, citing a Five-Year Cooperation Framework (2002–2007) as a foundation for long-standing collaboration.
 

What he’s saying

“The cooperative model is deeply aligned with the United Nations’ vision of inclusive and sustainable development—an aspiration shared by both the global community and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Priesner also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Iran’s development goals, which mirror global priorities for resilience and equity.
 

Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi