United Nations Association of Iran (UNA-IRAN)
Background
Recognizing that human rights and respect for human dignity are among humanity’s most fundamental aspirations, and that their realization requires sustained national and international commitment as well as close cooperation with the United Nations and other humanitarian mechanisms, the United Nations Association of Iran (UNA-Iran) commenced its activities in 1998.
Established as an official national body within the framework of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), UNA-Iran is, in accordance with the Federation’s Statutes, the sole official representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran within the global network of United Nations Associations.
United Nations support for the activities of the Federation and its national associations, first formally recognized in General Assembly resolution 41/68 (1986), has consolidated the unique role of this network in advancing multilateral cooperation and enhancing public awareness of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Drawing upon this support, and relying on the expertise of academics, civil society actors, and specialists in the fields of human rights, development, and international relations, UNA-Iran plays an active role in promoting dialogue, facilitating knowledge exchange, and strengthening national capacities.
Mission and Rationale
One of the core missions of the United Nations Association of Iran is to strengthen the role of Iranian society in international processes through the following activities:
- Organizing consultative meetings to raise awareness of United Nations objectives and to promote human rights
- Conducting capacity-building programmes for experts from governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of international affairs
- Holding conferences, seminars, lectures, and specialized meetings, particularly in connection with international and United Nations-related commemorative occasions
- Engaging at the international level and exchanging knowledge and experience with governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations on issues of common interest
- Maintaining communication and cooperation with the World Federation of United Nations Associations
- Establishing links with United Nations Associations in other countries and exchanging views and information
- Cooperating with the United Nations Information Centre in Tehran and other relevant United Nations agencies
- Collaborating with domestic and international schools and universities
Key Areas of Activity
The United Nations Association of Iran implements a broad range of educational, research, advocacy, and networking programmes at the national, regional, and international levels. Its principal areas of activity include:
- Education and Capacity-Building
- Designing and delivering specialized courses on the United Nations system, human rights, development, and international mechanisms
- Implementing professional skills-enhancement programmes for experts from governmental and non-governmental institutions
- Carrying out educational projects for schools, universities, and academic centres inside and outside the country
- Communications and Public Diplomacy
- Producing informational content and enhancing public awareness of the goals and performance of the United Nations
- Organizing commemorative events on international observance days, including the International Day of Peace, International Day of Families, and Human Rights Day
- Strengthening linkages among the academic community, civil society, and international institutions
- Multilateral and International Cooperation
- Active participation in United Nations meetings and processes, including those of the Human Rights Council
- Ongoing cooperation with the United Nations Information Centre in Tehran and other specialized agencies
- Networking and fostering synergy with member national United Nations Associations
- Exchanging experiences and implementing joint projects at the regional and global levels
- Support for Civil Society
- Organizing capacity-building workshops for non-governmental organizations
- Creating bridges between Iranian civil society organizations and international networks
- Facilitating the participation of Iranian NGOs in programmes related to human rights, development, and other relevant fields
Key Projects and Achievements
Over recent years, the United Nations Association of Iran has designed and implemented a wide range of targeted programmes, including:
- The comprehensive United Nations System training course, implemented in cooperation with United Nations agencies in Iran
- Training workshops on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism and report-writing, with a focus on the human rights situation in Iran
- Implementation and facilitation of Model United Nations training programmes
- Capacity-building projects for non-governmental organizations across various provinces
- Joint projects implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Associations of Scotland and Denmark.
To join the UNA’s Telegram channel, please visit the link below. Kindly note that this channel is currently available in Persian only: https://t.me/unairan