NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York on Monday to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where regional conflicts, Palestine, Kashmir, climate change, terrorism and global economic challenges are expected to feature prominently.
The Prime Minister was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. PM Shehbaz is scheduled to address the UNGA on September 25.
The official theme of this year’s UNGA is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The high-level week is bringing world leaders together amid continuing conflicts in the Middle East and other international crises.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif will outline Pakistan’s position on regional and global security developments and stress the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful settlement of disputes. He is also expected to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting regional peace and stability.
The prime minister’s agenda will include sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reform and issues facing the Global South. He will also raise Pakistan’s position on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
PM Shehbaz is expected to participate in several high-level meetings and hold bilateral discussions with world leaders and the UN secretary-general during his stay in New York.
Dar Holds Diplomatic Meetings in New York
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also arrived in New York ahead of the prime minister and has a wide-ranging programme of diplomatic engagements during the UNGA high-level week.
Dar is scheduled to participate in meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, including the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, where he will present Pakistan’s position on the right to self-determination of Kashmiris. He will also attend high-level meetings concerning Palestine, including gatherings involving Arab and Islamic countries and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
The deputy prime minister is also scheduled to participate in a UN Security Council high-level briefing on artificial intelligence, attend a meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and chair the Economic Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Ministers.
During the week, Dar is holding bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts and discussing regional and international developments, including efforts for peace and stability.
The Pakistani delegation has been streamlined as part of the government’s austerity measures. Dar and senior foreign-policy adviser Tariq Fatemi are among the core members accompanying the prime minister.
