UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan took over the rotational office of the UN Security Council presidency for the month of January, with the dawn of the New Year.
The 15-nation Council is the United Nations' most powerful body, which deals issues of international peace and security.
For the month of January, it has a busy schedule: Briefings and consultations on several issues and situations, which are part of the regular agenda, will take place during the month, according to their respective periodic cycles.
An open debate is planned on January 21, 2013, on "UN Peacekeeping: a multidimensional approach", which is aimed at reviewing the UN flagship activity to maintain international peace and security. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf is expected to come to New York to preside over the session. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will brief the Council on the peacekeeping operations.
As a leading contributor of personnel to the UN peacekeeping operations over the past decades, Pakistan has a vital interest in the continued effectiveness and success of UN peacekeeping, Pakistani officials said.
Pakistan believes that the Council's debate will be a contribution to international community's collective efforts to make peacekeeping work even better.
A ministerial-level open debate is also planned on January 15, 2013, to deliberate on the comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism. Pakistan hopes that it will provide an opportunity to have a holistic view of the continuing threats and challenges posed by international terrorism and the best ways of formulating and implementing coherent and comprehensive responses to this menace.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will preside over this debate, in which high level participation from other Council members is also expected.
Currently, Pakistan has over 9,000 troops and other personnel deployed in eight UN peacekeeping missions around the world, which demonstrates its commitment to global peace and security. Prime Minister Ashraf will be the chief guest on the occasion. The UN chief will also attend.
The Council will also have the quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on January 23. UN's Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry is likely to brief the Council.
Another important issue to be considered during Pakistan's presidency is the Rule of Law. In terms of working methods, Pakistan has proposed to convene a formal Wrap-up Session of the Council on 31 January, which will allow the general membership to provide their views on the activities of the Council during the month.
Pakistan's UN Ambassador Masood Khan in his capacity as president of the UN Security Council will brief the media on the work programme on January 3. The event will be telecast by the UN.
Earlier Pakistan had been elected six times for this prestigious body- 1952-53, 1968-69, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1993-94 and 2003-04. This is the seventh time, the member-states reposed confidence in Pakistan to serve on the Council.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@MAP: Sir, UNSC Presidency doesn't mean that Pakistan has become an Ultimate Power in world politics. There is a very very long bumpy road ahead...!
@MAP: Good luck, try it ha ha ha
@MAP: Wow, what makes you think that the people of Kashmir want to join Pakistan rather than have their own independent country????
MAP : Keep dreaming. Pl enforce plebisite and before that pl enforce the conditions for conducting the plebisite.
Pakistan has come of age in world affairs. It took us 65 years. Thanks to the hard work and struggle of our leaders, from Quaid-e-Azam to Khar. Its time now to ask India to handover control of Kashmir to Pakistan. Or we enforce the plebisite through UN.