PM Shehbaz Sharif to Address UN General Assembly on September 25
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, where he will outline Pakistan’s position on major regional and international challenges and call for dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, confirmed the schedule during a background briefing in New York. The UN says the General Debate of the 81st session will run from September 22 to 26 and resume on September 28.
This year’s General Debate is being held under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, Shehbaz will use his address to present Islamabad’s perspective on regional and global developments and reaffirm Pakistan’s support for dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful settlement of disputes.
The prime minister is also expected to outline Pakistan’s priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reform and issues facing the Global South.
Pakistan also plans to draw international attention to the situations in Palestine and Indian-administered Kashmir, reiterating its positions on self-determination and relevant international frameworks.
The high-level UN week comes amid significant international security challenges. Pakistan has said it intends to use its diplomatic engagements in New York to highlight the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing regional conflicts and global instability.
During his New York visit, Shehbaz is also expected to participate in high-level events and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is accompanying the prime minister during the high-level week. Dar’s programme includes meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, discussions on Palestine and Kashmir, and a UN Security Council high-level briefing on artificial intelligence.
The UN has confirmed that the General Debate begins on Tuesday, September 22, while other high-level meetings throughout the week will cover issues including sea-level rise, pandemic preparedness and nuclear disarmament.
Shehbaz’s September 25 speech will therefore provide Pakistan’s principal national statement at this year’s General Assembly, setting out Islamabad’s positions on international security, economic and development challenges, and reform of the multilateral system.
