Dec. 18, 2013
The United Nations has overwhelmingly voted to adopt a resolution based on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s proposals for a World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE).
The UN General Assembly voted by consensus on Wednesday to approve the WAVE Act, which calls on all nations across the globe to denounce violence and extremism.
Under the resolution, the General Assembly would urge all member states to unite against violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as sectarian violence.
It would encourage efforts by leaders to discuss within their communities the causes of violent extremism and discrimination, and evolve strategies to address them.
It would also recommend the promotion of community engagement in countering violent extremism, including by strengthening ties between communities and emphasizing common bonds and interests.
On September 24, Rouhani called for a World Against Violence and Extremism during his speech at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
“We should accept and be able to open a new horizon in which peace will prevail over war, tolerance over violence, progress over bloodletting, justice over discrimination, prosperity over poverty, and freedom over despotism,” Rouhani said.
In mid-December, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Mohammad Khazaei said the world body finally put Rouhani’s proposals on its agenda.
On December 5, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a nuclear disarmament resolution that includes proposals forwarded by President Rouhani as head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to the UN Disarmament Conference in New York on September 25.
The document urges nuclear-weapon states to rapidly adopt the necessary measures in order to abide by their international commitments regarding disarmament.
It specifically calls for the full elimination of nuclear arsenals, transparently, irrevocably, and under international supervision.
