A/HRC/31/26 owned organization Petroleum Engineering and Development Company continues its development of Yaran Shomali, an oil field being exploited jointly by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, despite environmental complaints lodged against it in May 2015. 46 The authorities stated that the company was allowed to operate after making modifications to avoid creating dust. The Secretary-General calls on State-owned enterprises to comply with human rights obligations and protect the environment. 52. The economic sanctions levied on the Islamic Republic of Iran have also created a reliance on locally produced, poorly refined fuel ,the production of which may contribute to dust storms and air pollution that affects people’s health. During the times of the year when the highest levels of pollution are recorded, air pollution in the country often causes a number of deaths.47 In December 2015, the Government was forced to close all schools and kindergartens for two days48 and to postpone a top league football match because on 20 December, the air quality index reached 132, well above the World Health Organization advised level of between zero and 50.49 While acknowledging the problem, the authorities hope that with the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the nuclear programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran negotiated between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the five plus one group of countries,50 access to clean fuel and international investment in new and greener technology will allow for a reduction in air pollution.51 The authorities indicated that a national working group was working with various institutions to address issues pertinent to air pollution and that a bill on air pollution and other environmental issues was being debated in the parliament. 53. Recently, parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran have also experienced water shortages. To address those shortages, the Government has called for a revolution in agriculture, as over 90 per cent of the country’s water is currently being used for agricultural purposes. In March 2015, the Energy Ministry reported that 60 per cent of the reservoirs of major dams were empty, caused in part by a fall in the flow of water. The Government has pledged US$ 5.4 billion from the National Development Fund to be invested in the water sector.52 The Secretary-General recalls that all persons have a right to adequate safe and accessible water and sanitation to meet their basic needs. 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 See http://isna.ir/fa/news/94022112548/; www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13940221001685; and http://pedec.ir/resume-manager (all in Persian). According to Iranian officials, air pollution in Tehran alone claims 180 lives per day. See www.tehrantimes.com/. See www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-closes-capital-schools-due-to-air-pollution/. See www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/27/iranian-football-matches-postponed-as-air-pollutionsoars. In the intended nationally determined contribution of November 2015 submitted by the Islamic Republic of Iran under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Government pledged to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions by 4 per cent and suggested that they could be mitigated by an additional 8 per cent (12 per cent in total) if the sanctions were lifted. See www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Iran/1/ INDC%20Iran%20Final%20Text.pdf. See www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34961297. See www.un.org.ir/images/Tehrans_dwindling_water_supplies_-_MEED_15_July_2015.pdf. 15