PICTURE: PAK PRRMANENT MISSION UN/MALU
UNITED NATIONS: Assuming the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the eighth term on Thursday, Pakistan renewed its commitment to raising voice for the right to self-determination of peoples under foreign occupation.
The resolve was made by Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, who installed the national flag of his country at the UNSC. With this, Pakistan started its eighth term as a non-permanent member (2025-26) of the UNSC.
Besides Pakistan, the flags of Greece, Denmark, Somalia and Panama were also installed at UNSC’s stakeout at a function.
The representatives of the outgoing non-permanent members Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland were also present. Their terms ended on December 31.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Iftikhar Ahmad said his country would continue taking guidance from the UN Charter aimed at maintenance of international peace and security.
“We need to earnestly address root causes of long-outstanding and new conflicts, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, and support confidence building at regional and global levels,” the envoy said.
He was of the view that for achieving the goals of the world forum, it was imperative to uphold the UN Charter and international law besides ensuring effective implementation of the Security Council’s decisions.
Kazakhstan’s permanent representative to the UN Kairat Umarov presided over the ceremony. He expressed the confidence that the five new council members will focus the pressing issues of global peace and security.
“As we begin a new year, it is clear that the global situation continues to be marked by numerous challenges and crisis, from ongoing conflicts and humanitarian calamities to the negative impacts of climate change and the pandemic.”
It may be noted that in July this year, Pakistan will chair the 15-member UNSC when it assumes its presidency according to alphabetical rotation of the member states’ official names.
Moreover, Pakistan will get a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which designates individuals and groups as terrorists besides imposing sanctions on them.
Five of the total 15 members of the UNSC – Britain, China, France, Russia and US – are permanent. The 10 non-permanent seats are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.
Comments are closed.