Reclaiming Iran’s Civilizational Legacy Through Sustainable Development
The Persian Gulf Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must be approached not merely as technical or economic objectives, but as a civilizational imperative rooted in Iran’s ancient values—values that predate Islam and shaped one of the greatest empires in human history. This is a call to all political factions, especially those who insist on exclusively Islamic frameworks, to recognize and integrate Iran’s pre-Islamic tangible and intangible heritage into national policy.
A Memorial to the Ancient World and a Call to Ethical Action
A fair share of our ethical ancient morals to be re-applied by using the technology to our daily lives.
We propose a large-scale intergovernmental memorial ceremony honoring the ancient civilized world of the Persian Empire. This is not just symbolic—it is a strategic opportunity to raise environmental awareness and promote ethical governance. The ceremony should serve as a platform for developing guidance and solutions through the principle of Good Mind (Vohu Manah), a cornerstone of Iranian ethical philosophy.
Response to the Water Development Policy Speech
Dear Sir,
I attended your recent speech at the Iranian Natural Resources and Environment Management Organization conference. Your remarks were bold and evocative, as though you were representing an injured party in a courtroom—pleading for justice on behalf of Iran’s environment and its silenced scientific community.
Your speech rightly highlighted the neglect and mismanagement of Iran’s natural resources over the past four decades. As an independent activist, I do not affiliate with any political party, but I feel compelled to publicly respond to your statements. I acknowledge the impact of war and sanctions, but these cannot excuse the internal failures that have led us here.
Political Fragmentation and Environmental Accountability
The political landscape is fragmented, with minor parties oscillating between two dominant factions—both of which bear responsibility for the environmental degradation you described. The reluctance to use the term “GREEN” in political discourse, due to past events unrelated to environmentalism, is a tragic misstep. It ignores the historical significance of the green flag of the Zand dynasty and its association with Persian identity.
Justice and the Weight of Environmental Evidence
Iran’s justice system, though ancient, is capable of delivering accountability. The statistics you cited—soil erosion, water extraction, desertification—are not just numbers. They are potential evidence in a future environmental crime tribunal. However, your speech lacked methodological transparency. Without clear references and data acquisition protocols, these claims may not withstand legal scrutiny.
The Cost of Misguided Self-Sufficiency
You stated: "Unfortunately, officials did not correctly calculate the cost of self-sufficiency in agriculture. Otherwise, today the state of natural resources and the environment of the country was not so trivial..."
This is a critical observation. The pursuit of agricultural self-sufficiency, without ecological foresight, has placed Iran among the worst globally in terms of environmental degradation. Those who claim to love Iran must understand that true patriotism demands long-term thinking—not short-term profit.
Technology Without Ethics Is a Path to Ruin
You concluded: "We should not think that because we have technology, we should take advantage of the natural resources and the environment without having regards to the need of the future."
This sentiment must be amplified. Technology is not a license to exploit. It must be guided by ethical principles rooted in Iran’s civilizational wisdom—principles that prioritize the future over immediate gain.
The Persian Gulf SDGs: A Strategic Imperative
Achieving the Persian Gulf SDGs requires navigating a geopolitical landscape riddled with foreign interests and internal political games. The region’s wealth in natural energy has attracted external influence, often at the expense of sustainable development. Iran must assert its leadership by aligning its policies with both global SDG frameworks and its own historical values.
A Call to All Political Parties
The new government must take the Persian Gulf SDGs seriously—not as a checkbox exercise, but as a transformative agenda. This is a call to all political parties, especially those who have ignored Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage, to embrace a holistic vision of progress. One that honors the past, protects the present, and secures the future.