{site-title}

We have a country which is one of the richest countries of the world in terms of land area and resources. It is said that we face a water shortage—which is true; however, with experience, it is known that even with a little water—coupled with frugality as well as the application of scientific methods—we can build up our lands. If we work hard, if we apply scientific methods, if we conduct the managerial jobs properly, we can cover Iran's vast lands with more vegetation, even with the little water resources available to us. It is a source of embarrassment for our people to receive agricultural products or even basic food needs, from others, while we have such a rich territory, as some country without lands and facilities and without a great agricultural history would do. You, the gentlemen and women, as ministers and those people in charge, should improve the situation to a more favorable status.

We should be able to save ourselves from detrimental damage to vital and natural resources such as trees, waters, and soil by means of precise planning, power management, and persistence and determination. Of course, very productive projects have been carried out in this realm of activities—I was aware of some, and I was informed of the rest during this meeting, however, these works should be followed up on with persistence. We should be, insistently, perusing the realization of productive goals in phases by applying new plans.

For us, issues regarding the environment or related to the protection of natural resources is not for show or things that are second-rate: these are real and vital issues. In our efforts to develop the country, environmental issues should be a top priority and the emphasis of our efforts. Additionally, inclination towards the industrial section should be coupled with consideration of the environment and protection of natural resources, so that the country can benefit from it; so that we—as a nation, which, naturally, enjoys a pleasant and favorable environment with climate privileges, as well as facilities that were once destroyed at the hands of humans—can benefit from these facilities once more, increase them, and prevent them from being destroyed.

The issue of combating desertification (deforestation) should be on our list of priorities and attended to persistently and strictly. Planning for aquifers, which, was addressed at this meeting was one good example of necessary planning; usage of flood waters, properly, with the appropriate methods is also good. Such useful proposals and the like should be applied. Numerous similar proposals can be offered which do not require major investments and can only be realized by innovation, persistence, passion, and collaboration among different sections.

March 5, 1999