New Year Messages from the UN Secretary-General, Iranian Officials, and Global Leaders

The leader of the Islamic Republic and other Iranian officials have released messages on the occasion of Nowruz and the New Year. Senior officials from Afghanistan, Turkey, and the UN Secretary-General are among those who have issued Nowruz messages. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, described the year 1397 as a "eventful year" and accused "enemies" of plotting, although he stated that these plots were "unsuccessful." In his Nowruz message, Khamenei mentioned that "the fundamental problem of the country remains the economic issue; especially in recent months, the livelihood problems of the people have increased. Part of these issues is related to ineffective management in economic matters that must definitely be compensated for." As in previous years, he has chosen a slogan for the current year: "Boosting Production." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also stated in his Nowruz message that the goal of his government is "to ensure that essential goods are sufficiently available to the people." He mentioned that "the government will announce its new programs at the beginning of the new year." In another part of his message, the President said, "Our goal is to reduce the suffering and pressure on fixed-income earners." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his Nowruz message, recalled Nowruz as a celebration cherished by over 300 million people worldwide, stating, "Nowruz means a new beginning: the arrival of a new year, the first day of spring, the renewal of nature." Guterres added that Nowruz is "a new opportunity for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to peace, human rights, and human dignity; to expand dialogue and tolerance, to protect our planet, and to build a future where everyone stands together." He expressed hope that Nowruz would inspire all people around the world. Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, met with ambassadors from Nowruz countries ahead of the holiday and congratulated them on the New Year, emphasizing the need to focus on agriculture in his country. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also congratulated the celebration in his Nowruz message, stating, "Nowruz, which is manifested with the arrival of spring, carries the message that we must forgive what causes separation and protect unity and solidarity from the past and future." Erdoğan expressed hope that the Nowruz celebration would continue as a "celebration of love and friendship" throughout his country. The President of Azerbaijan also congratulated his citizens on Nowruz, stating that the results of "reforms" are visible and that these "reforms" will continue in the New Year.