Intl. WAVE Conf. opens in Tehran

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) - International Conference on World against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) kicked off today morning in Tehran with the presence of Iran’s president and officials from 40 countries. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed the guests and President Rouhani delivered his opening speech at the beginning of the first International Conference of World against Violence and Extremism on Tuesday morning. President Rouhani invited all countries in the region to exert rational policy making and unite together to move toward peace and stability in the region. “There is no need for countries outside the region who seek their own interest to decide for destiny of the region. The situation in the region requires regional countries to coordinate and work together,” asserted Rouhani. He highlighted to his administration policy of supporting stability, pace and rationality in the region and in Iran’s relationships with other countries and emphasized that neighboring states could stop terrorism only through cooperation. “If regional countries reach a mutual understanding, they can stop ISIL and free numerous civilians, women and children who suffer from terrorist attacks and are displaced.” Rouhani expressed sorrow over crimes committed by terrorist and extremist groups in the name of Islam and that such deeds tarnished the image of Islam and its merciful and peaceful characteristics. Iran’s president described authoritarian and tyrant regimes who did not recognize the rights of their people, foreign intervention and modern imperialism, and massive corruption which destroys national wealth of countries among main causes and procedures in the world which fuel injustice and violence across the world. Hassan Rouhani strongly criticized so-called world powers for only seeking their own interests and not being committed to international conventions and regulations. He continued by asserting that in spite of all its achievements, the United Nations has had considerable inefficiencies in maintaining peace in the world. In response to his own rhetorical question of the ways to save humanity and improve human life, Rouhani dubbed cultural and religious understanding as the main solution. He also called for expansion and deepening of dialog among nations, states and civil societies to promote and increase mutual understanding among countries in the region and world and urged use of modern technologies for educating the public in order to empower women, youth and people of all walks of life to maintain such understandings. Rouhani closed his speech by introducing his 10 proposals for a world against violence and extremism. He urged countries who helped formation, funding and organizing of terrorist groups, to clearly distance from terrorist groups and stop direct and indirect funding and support for these groups. “Iraq and Syria have suffered massive damages and those countries who supported terrorists are now responsible to help the two countries to recover and repair damages.” He called for international aids for reconstructing infrastructures, houses and facilities in Iraq and Syria and proposed establishment of a fund to improve employment and development in countries that have fallen victims to terrorism. Cooperation among regional states serious in combating terrorism, prevention of misunderstanding and extremist interpretations of Islam in religious schools, educating people through media and global cooperation to prevent terrorist groups recruitments, barring terrorists from easy transition between countries by improving security measures especially in transit countries, preventing terrorists’ exploit of cyber space were among proposals President Rouhani introduced to the conference. He also urged changes and modifications to the structure of the United Nations, and particularly the UN Security Council, “which have made no success in protecting peace in the world and have proved their inefficiencies so far.” Rouhani concluded his words by an offer to the UN to name December 18, marking the anniversary of UN General Assembly resolution following his address and proposal to the UNGA for World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) which has been the base for this event, as the international day for combating terrorism to commemorate victims of terrorist crimes across the world. Seyed Ali Khomeini, former Pakistani president, Norwegian former Prime Minister, former French Prime Minister and Iran’s VP are also scheduled to deliver speeches on the theme of the conference. The conference is led by the Head of the Iranian Presidential Office Mohammad Nahavandian. The head of Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati and Iranian Foreign Ministry deputies are also taking part in the conference. Foreign Ministers of Syria, Pakistan, Nicaragua and Iraq as well as participants from 40 countries are present in the WAVE conference.