Statement by H.E. Mr. Eshagh Alhabib

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

 On Adoption of the Nowruz Resolution by the General Assembly

 (New York - 23 February 2010)

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. President;

Distinguished Delegates

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After such a harsh and cold winter, let me talk about our  longing for a joyous spring, let me talk about Nowruz, the new day, the festival of revival and rebirth on our planet and in our souls. In the words of Jalaluddin Rumi, the great Persian poet:

امد بهار خرم و امد رسول يار

مستيم و عاشقيم و خماريم و بي قرار

گويي قيامت است كه بر كرد سر ز خاك

پوسيدگان بهمن و دي. مردگان پار

اخر چنين شوند درختان روح نيز

پيدا شود درخت نكوشاخ بخت يار

Nowruz has arrived and the Beloved's message has come;

We are drunk with love and intoxicated and can not be still;

You may say that it is resurrection, that have raised their heads from the earth those who rotted in December and January, the dead of yesterday;

After all, the trees of the spirit will become even so, the tree of excellent boughs and fortunate will be manifest.

Today, I have the honor and privilege to present to you the draft resolution A/64/L.30 Rev.2 dated 18 February 2010, entitled "International Day of Nowruz”, jointly prepared by Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Turkmenistan and Islamic Republic of Iran. The first draft of this resolution was issued on the 2^ndof December 2009. Since then, it has been subject to extensive informal consultations between its main cosponsors and the membership of this august Assembly with the aim of reaching consensus. And now the time is ripe for formal adoption of this draft resolution that we, the main sponsors, firmly believe embodies one of the most prominent objectives of this Organization, namely strengthening global peace through knowledge and respect for national cultures, world cultural heritage and cultural diversity.

Mr. President;

Nowruz marks the first day in Persian New Year. In harmony with the rebirth of nature, Nowruz is celebrated on 21^st of March that is the very first day of spring of each year. But Nowruz, with all its customs and rites, is much more than a date marked in our calendars. It conveys a deeply-rooted culture which brings hope, peace andprosperity to the millions of peoples around the globe, regardless of their ethnicity, political or religious views.

From the time Nowruz was established in the Land of Persia and thereafter thorough all these long centuries that Persia has been a melting pot for civilizations and ethnicities, up to now, Nowruz has served as the common language for millions of people all around the world and for over 3000 years in Balkans, Black Sea Basin, Caucasus, Central Asia and Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East and many other regions. It is a representative of intangible cultural heritage of humanity as recognized by UNESCO in September 2009. Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening ties among peoples based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborhood. Nowruz traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of East and West which influenced those civilizations through interchange of human values. To commemorate Nowruz means to respect the origins, history, values and legacy of magnificent civilizations.

To commemorate Nowruz also means to promote life in harmony with nature, natural cycles and sources of life. In this regard, this resolution would supplement Resolution A/RES/63/287 entitled "International Mother Earth Day" adopted by this Assembly on the First of May 2009.

It is based on these sublime values that we decided to present this draft resolution on "International Day of Nowruz" and it is on the same solid basis that, we, the main sponsors of this draft resolution are confident that this draft will enjoy the unanimous support of the General Assembly.

I thank you all for your attention.