10/08/1998

At the outset, I would like to extend my congratulations to you on your election as the president of the conference. I am fully convinced that this conference under your able leadership will succeed in attaining its high objectives. I would also like to express my appreciation to the government and people of Portugal for hosting this historic event and the hospitality accorded to us.

Mr President,

On the threshold of the 2 1 st century, the role of youth in ensuring a bright future for the world has become all the more important. Youth issues are numerous and are of multidimentional nature. To address these issues properly, there exists the need for concerted long term international coopereation. the World Program of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond which covers the general and common aspects of the youth issues is a comprehensive strategy for addressing the problems at hand.

Youth constitute 65 percent of the Iran's population We also confront the onerous challenge of reconstruction and development, which in turn, requires devotion, determination and hard work. That inspired us to establish a specSupreme Council of Youth. Since its inception, the council has managed to provide somesolutions to the challenges confronting the Iranian youth. The council is headed by the president of the Republic and enjoys his especial support. It supervises the implementation of the National Youth Policy and coordinates the related activities. Given the dynamic nature of the issues, the council is also mandated to review the efficacy of this policy at regular intervals and to redefine the related programs and activities. Young people have contributed their views to and actively participated in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the national youth policy.

The Iranian youth's full participation has been the drivinig force behind every remarkable event that has taken place in the last quarter of the century in my country, ranging from the victory of the Islamic Revolution to such events as defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of an imposed war, as well as the election of a president who respects and believes in the views, potentials and capabilities of young men and women; a president who believes in the power of dialouge among civilizations and understanding among nations as the determining factor for ensuring a better future for mankind.

Our youth's active participation is also manifested by the successful presence of our young stars in such olyrupiads as mathematics, computer, chemistry and physics so much so that our young people, in the last decade, have been the winers of either the first second or third medals in such competitions.

I should also note that the Iranian young people, have managed to win significant prizes in the reahn of cinema and motion picture in international festivals thanks to their unique style; making use of such elements as spirituality, ethics, human nobility and dignity as well as social and family values which stengthen the foundations of peace and friendship in the world.

Mr. President,

Social development like political and economic development needs to be balanced and based on equality and justice. Today, despite remarkable scientific and technological progress, unequal distribution of income and opportunities lack of access by women and young people to resources have led to a deepening gap between the rich and the poor. Therefore, the threat of further marginalization of the poor and vulnerable people, social discrimination and social unrest looms great in many societies of the world, the great victims of which are but young people.

This trend should be reversed. To change the current trend, innovative approaches and new methods need to be sought to deal particularly with such issues as education, employment, health, participation, environment and drug abuse.

Islam perceives education as a key to many problems, including the empowerment of youth. In line with the supreme teachings of Islam, the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken strides towards promotion of education of the young generation. The achievements are significant. According to the census of 1996 in Iran, the literacy rate in the 11 - 29 age group has increased to 92%. This increased literacy rate is more visible among the rural youth, girls and young women. Moreover, 57% of young men and 43% of girls and young women in Iran are now receiving higher education.

The I.R.Iran is also implementing, in all earnest, various programs on youth education within the framework of the country's economic, social, political and cultural development plan through equitable development of education system, upgrading the status of education in national development plans, reforming the education system, development of educational technology, encouraging the direct and effective participation of young people in decision making, planning and evaluation of educational and cultural programs, reviewing and,

improving educational standards and expansion of informal education.

Here, I would like to briefly quote a recommendation by the great late leader of the I.R.Iran, Imam Khomeini (P.B.U.H):<< Our youths who will run the society in the future must be educated. If they recieve a sound education we will have a sound society, otherwise, the society will be in trouble>>.

Preparing the ground for active participation of young people in economic, social and cultural activities is one of the basic and inevitable goals of the economic, social and cultural development plans and policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this respect, High Council of Employment has been established this year to set the employment goals, priorities and policies in development plans and policies and different economic sectors of the country.

We have designed special programs and measures aimed at creating job opportunities particularly for the rural youth. Of such programs and measures mention can be made of the following: developing youth cooperatives, supporting the private sector with the participation of the youth and youth organizations, encouraging exchanges between rural and urban youths and their cooperation in the production and distribution of products, granting loans and technical assistance to young producers and increasing technical - vocational training.

Unemployment as the rootcause of many social problems and woes must be addressed. At the international level, dismantling of barries to free trade, flow of financial resources and investment to developing countries, transfer of technology, alleviation of the debt burden of developing countries and exchange of experiences can play a major role in this regards. At the national level, supporting the private sector, promoting self - employment, providing credit facilities to the unemployed, encouraging the establishment of voluntary institutions, optimal utilization of land and water resources and special emphasis on development of human

resources are among the primary and essential measures to be taken.

Mr..President,

The youth constitute the pillars and build up the future of every society and our future destiny lies in their hands. Participation of the youth in the formulation of development plans, decision making process and preservation of peace can guarantee the future of humanity and the world peace. That is to say that healthy, strong, informed and creative youths are our future assets. Evidently, if such human resources are not adequately qualified or if their capabilities are not properly directed, they will not be able to undertake this crucial responsibility. To ensure the success of our youths in fulfilling this daunting task, we need to prepare them.

Mr. President

Here, I would like to reiterate that the Islamic Republic of Iran, welcoming the results of the 20th special session of the UN General Assembly devoted to drug problem~ stresses the important role of the United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP) in combatting this global dilemma and the need to enhance bilateral, regional and international cooperation in combatting drug trafficking, elimination of illicit drug production through effective alternative development programs, illicit demand reduction, control of precursors and chemical stimulants and promotion of judicial cooperation on drug control.

Mr. President,

I do not wish to fail, at this important gathering, to touch upon the acute situation of the Palestinian people, in particular the Palestinian youth. Palestinians for decades have been subject to unabated policy of suppression and repression by Israeli occupying force.

Arbitrary detention, torture, excessive use of force, killing, economic seizure and deprivation are the order of the day for Palestinian youths. Until and unless the international community does not take serious actions to put an end to the occupation, there would be no fight at the end of the tunnel for Palestinians. This conference can not and should not turn a blind eye on the Israeli atrocities. Nor should it be indifferent to the legitimate aspirations of Palestinian youths to self- determination and having a homeland of theirs.

Let's hope that, at the turning of the century, the young Palestinians could sing, along with other youths all over the world, the song of freedom and emancipation.

To sum up, young men and women of the 15 - 24 age group account for 20% of the world population. This reminds us of a common international responsibility which has already resulted in the decision to hold this world youth conference. We believe that this conference represents a unique opportunity to not only focus on challenges facing our youths, but also to work out new effective and practical mechanisms to meet their needs and challenges. Let's work hand in hand and put our resources together in that no single country or a small group of countries can achieve the invaluable objectives of this conference single - handedly.

Thank you Mr..President.