By Sadaf Sundas Riaz I The Changer
ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, the Foreign Office confirmed on Thursday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said during his weekly briefing in Islamabad that the prime minister would use his UN address to present Pakistan’s position on major regional and international developments and underline Islamabad’s support for dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other federal ministers and senior officials will accompany Shehbaz during the New York visit.
The high-level General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly is scheduled for September 22-26, with a final sitting on September 28. The session is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
Climate change, terrorism and global economy on agenda
According to the Foreign Office, Shehbaz will outline Pakistan’s priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, reform of the United Nations and issues affecting the Global South.
Climate vulnerability remains a major component of Pakistan’s international diplomatic messaging, while Islamabad is also expected to use the gathering to highlight its security concerns and approach to counterterrorism.
The prime minister will also draw international attention to Palestine and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Foreign Office.
Pakistan pushes dialogue and diplomacy
The New York visit comes at a time of heightened international security tensions, placing conflict prevention and diplomacy high on the agenda of this year’s gathering of world leaders.
Pakistan’s stated position ahead of the session is that dialogue and diplomacy should remain central to resolving international disputes.
Shehbaz is also expected to participate in several high-level events and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders as well as UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his stay in New York.
According to the Foreign Office, those engagements will be used to underline Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, regional peace and international cooperation.
Shehbaz scheduled to address General Assembly
The prime minister is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 25. His appearance will give Islamabad one of its most prominent diplomatic platforms of the year to set out Pakistan’s positions on conflicts, economic pressures, climate challenges and reform of the international system.
Pakistan is also serving as a member of the UN Security Council, giving its delegation an additional role in discussions involving international peace and security during the high-level period. The Foreign Office had earlier indicated that Pakistan expected to participate in important Security Council engagements alongside UNGA81.
For Islamabad, the General Assembly session will therefore extend beyond the prime minister’s speech, with bilateral diplomacy and high-level multilateral meetings providing opportunities to advance Pakistan’s positions on regional stability, development and international cooperation.