Topic: 2025 – Responsibility of International Organizations
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Connor Robertson
The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that international organizations have come to play a leading role in international governance, which ranges from simple peacekeeping to humanitarian aid and financial assistance. In this way, organizations exercise an increasingly wide-reaching authority, where issues of responsibility and accountability assume particular importance. Iran views that while international organizations do have to remain effective and independent in their role, they cannot remain immune from responsibility in cases where their actions cause damage or violate the principles of international law. Fairness, justice, and respect for state sovereignty remain central in Iran’s approach with regard to this subject.
Iran urges the committee to move beyond the broad question of accountability and examine how the attribution of responsibility could be precisely identified when a multitude of actors are involved, including drawing a line between acts conducted by the organization itself and by member states through directing or supporting its operations. The committee also has to consider how victims may be compensated or remedied without unnecessarily burdening states or organizations with protracted judicial procedures. Iran strongly feels that another important concern is the increasing perception that some international organizations act in a non-accountable way, and that decision-making is unbalanced and non-transparent.
Iran also supports the elaboration of clearer legal guidelines on when international organizations are responsible for harmful actions. Without supporting any measure that would weaken state sovereignty, Iran is open to frameworks that increase the transparency, reporting, and internal review systems of organizations. The strengthening of dispute-resolution mechanisms (including, inter alia, independent review boards or advisory processes), which allow victims access to redress without politicising the issue and burdening the states with full liability, is also welcomed by Iran. Iran is also ready to engage with other member states in finding practical ways to enhance peacekeeping standards, improve training, and prevent harm at the outset. These steps can be taken as a way to provide for more balance and reliability in this system of accountability.
Iran values the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations, which provide a useful starting point, but need further clarification before wide application. Iran looks to advisory opinions emanating from the International Court of Justice, which has discussed in previous cases both questions of liability and institutional authority. In its own policy, Iran has always put an emphasis on adherence to international law, ensuring justice in global governance, and preventing the abuse of powers by international institutions. This approach guides Iran’s position as the committee develops an improved legal foundation for accountability.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is hopeful that the Committee will be able to contribute to the establishment of principles which will enhance responsibility and confidence in international organizations. It is in this way that the international community can prevent future harm without restricting these organizations from carrying out their fundamental missions. Iran looks forward to cooperating with all delegates towards building a more just and balanced international system.
Samara, Chrysanthi. “International Responsibility Of International Organizations (The Draft Articles of the International Law Commission).” SSRN, 2019, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3480061. Accessed 24 11 2025.
United Nations. “Draft articles on the responsibility of international organizations.” Legal United Nations, 2011, https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/draft_articles/9_11_2011.pdf. Accessed 24 11 2025.
MousaviNejad, Elahe “Responsibility of International Organizations” https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/72/pdfs/statements/int_organizations/iran.pdf Accessed 24 11 2025.
