Iranian Review for UN Studies

Iranian Review for UN Studies

The Challenges of the United Nations in the Simultaneous Realization of the Right to Development and Environmental Justice: A Study in Light of the Sustainable Development Goals

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Zohreh Bagheri Khorramdashti
International Law, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/iruns.2026.553395.1194
Abstract
Abstract

This article evaluates the performance of the United Nations in addressing one of the longstanding tensions in global governance: the conflict between the “right to development” and “environmental justice.” This conflict refers to the tension between the right of developing countries to pursue economic growth and the obligations arising from environmental protection and the observance of environmental justice.

By conceptually distinguishing the “right to development” (as a human right) from “development rights,” and drawing on the framework of sustainable development, the article argues that while the United Nations has been relatively successful in establishing global norms and standards, it has faced structural obstacles in their implementation and in achieving a fair balance between development and environmental protection. These obstacles include the North–South divide, weak monitoring mechanisms, and insufficient financial resources.

A case study of Iran further illustrates how the combination of international sanctions and domestic challenges complicates the pursuit of sustainable development. The article concludes by outlining the implications of these findings for a more effective role of the United Nations in global governance.
Keywords
Right to Development
Environmental Justice
Sustainable Development Goals
Iranian Review for UN Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 September 2026