Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday called on the United Nations to undertake reforms to reflect the "growing role of developing countries"

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on Tuesday called on the United Nations to undertake reforms to reflect the "growing role of developing countries".
  
"To continue its presence in the international political and economic scene, the United Nations needs to undertake fundamental reforms," said Araqchi, the ISNA news agency reported.
  
He was speaking at a ceremony in Tehran to mark the 68th anniversary of when the UN charter went into effect, attended by UN Development Program (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark.
  
"These reforms must reflect the change in global order, particularly the growing role of developing countries, the right of nations to determine their own fates and to allow (nations) to enjoy new technologies," said Araqchi, whose country holds the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
  
Araqchi addressed the sanctions issue, saying: "These illegal, inhumane and oppressive sanctions target Iranian citizens ... as well as the country's developing programs in health, education and its fight against poverty," said Araqchi. "Imposing such unfair sanctions against developing countries is not only contrary to the UN charter, but also exposes a serious threat to world peace and security," he said.

Tehran also will not accept any preconditions to take part in the Geneva 2 peace conference on Syria, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham.

She described the role of Iran in Syria as “positive,” adding that the Syrian people should decide their own fate.

In a different context, Iran will launch production lines of natural and enriched UO2 (uranium dioxide) in the coming months, the head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Tuesday.

Ali Akbar Salehi made the comment during a tour of Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, Tasnim news agency reported.

Salehi said that negotiations with Russia were underway for construction of new plants, but the number of the facilities was unclear.

He also stated that the construction of the second unit of the Bushehr power plant would begin in the near future.