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RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 1172
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1797
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 UNVIE VIENNA 000537 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR IO/T, EB/IFT/ODF AND L/PIL 
EMBASSIES FOR ECON/POL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2023 
TAGS: KUNR ETRD EIND EAID UNIDO UNDP UNEP AORC KGHG
IR 
SUBJECT: IRAN TO PRESIDE AS PRESIDENT OF UNIDO GENERAL 
CONFERENCE 
 
REF: UNVIE 440 
 
UNVIE VIEN 00000537  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Glyn T. Davies for reasons (b) and (e) 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY.  Nominated by Asia Group without objection, 
Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh is poised to be 
elected by acclamation at the upcoming December 7-11 UN 
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General 
Conference.  Along with Iran's upcoming chairmanship of the 
Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Ambassador Soltanieh is 
increasingly putting himself into positions of interest and 
visibility in the Vienna-based IOs. These leadership 
positions may be aimed at balancing Iran's activities in 
Vienna to reduce pressure on Iran for its nuclear portfolio. 
END SUMMARY 
 
--------------------------- 
Sotanieh Finds Another Vienna 
Leadership Position 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) UNIDO's General Conference, held every two years, 
brings together leaders from around the world to discuss 
issues surrounding the promotion and acceleration of 
sustainable industrial development in developing countries 
and economies in transition.  (Ref).  The General conference 
provides UNIDO with policy direction and approval of the 
budget.  This year's theme is "Greening Industry for Global 
Recovery and Growth."  The President of the General 
Conference, elected (usually by acclamation) at the beginning 
of the conference, oversees administrative and management 
issues related to the agenda.  The President is assisted by 
eight vice-presidents, also chosen from regional groups. 
This year, the GC presidency belonged to the Asia group, who 
nominated-without objection according to UNIDO 
interlocutors-Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh. 
Various European interlocutors state they fully expect 
Sotanieh to be elected by acclamation. 
 
---------- 
COMMENT 
---------- 
 
 
¶3.  (C) While the U.S. is not a member to UNIDO, we do 
provide voluntary funding to some of its technical assistance 
activities in the world.  As such, Mission endeavors to 
monitor UNIDO's ongoing (and impressive) reforms and 
implementation of its strategic priorities.  Soltanieh's 
likely election to the GC Presidency is a telling 
illustration of his active approach to multilateral 
diplomacy, and Iran's intent to become more enmeshed in the 
leadership of key Vienna-based IOs.  Iran's increasing 
interest in these organizations is almost certainly part of 
its broader goal of reaching out to states across the world 
to reduce pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities as 
well as to increase the general prestige of the Islamic 
Republic as the leader of the Muslim world and developing 
nations.  Ambassador Soltanieh has a more pleasant demeanor 
in non-nuclear meetings and is generally regarded as helpful 
in the UNODC forum, including by UNVIE officers, thus he may 
be successful in gaining some allies more generally. 
 
¶4.  (C) Aside from its role in the NAM troika, Iran already 
claims leadership in the IAEA Board of Governors as the 
defender of states' rights to peaceful nuclear programs and 
repeatedly has argued that international organizations need 
to be retooled to take account of the concerns of a broader 
swath of countries and wrested from the hands of the West. 
We expect Iran might make a bid to become a member of the 
Board of Governors as well, but assess that Iran's continued 
noncompliance with the IAEA will prevent its accession.  Part 
of this drive by Iran no doubt is due to Soltanieh's personal 
interest in being a recognized and popular front man for the 
Islamic Republic. 
 
¶5.  (C) Mission will continue to monitor Iran's participation 
 
UNVIE VIEN 00000537  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
in these organizations and will advise Washington of any 
opportunities for engagement should the USG choose to pursue 
such an approach in these Vienna fora.  END COMMENT 
 
DAVIES