The United Nations mourned the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with its flag being lowered to half-mast at the UN headquarters on Tuesday and members of the UN Security Council observing a minute of silence on Monday.
The United Nations flag was lowered to half-mast at the UN headquarters in New York City to mourn for the death of Raisi.
Members of the UN Security Council on Monday observed a minute of silence to mourn the deaths of Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other passengers in Sunday's helicopter crash.
At the beginning of a Security Council meeting on Monday morning, Mozambique's UN ambassador Pedro Comissario Afonso, who chaired the meeting, asked all those present in the Security Council chamber to stand and observe a minute of silence for the tragic losses of lives and to present condolences and sympathy to their families and to the people of Iran.
He said the minute of silence was requested by Russia, China, and Algeria.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mariano Grossi also led a minute of silence for the victims of the crash at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria on Monday, prior to an international conference on the future of nuclear security.
Raisi was confirmed dead on Monday after his helicopter crashed in Iran's mountainous northwestern region on Sunday.
Preparations are underway for mourning ceremonies across Iran, with crowds already gathering in the capital city Tehran on Monday to mourn those who died in the crash.
UN mourns death of Iranian president
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
