UNGA president arrives in Islamabad

Espinosa will hold extensive talks on global and regional issues during her visit

United Nations General Assembly president, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, arrived in Islamabad on Friday on a five-day visit.

This is the diplomat's first visit to the Asia-Pacific region as president of the UNGA.

Espinosa will call on President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and other officials and will hold extensive talks on global and regional issues during her visit.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood will also hold a meeting with the visiting emissary.



She is also scheduled to meet members of Women Parliamentary Caucus, chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme and visit Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Training Center.

Espinosa is expected to further address members of academia, think tanks and students as part of her official engagements.

Her visit to Pakistan was announced by her spokesperson Monica Grayley during the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York last week.

“The President of the General Assembly looks forward to strengthening the ties between Pakistan and the UN, promoting multilateralism and continuing her work with Pakistan on the priorities for the 73rd Session of the General Assembly,” the spokesperson told reporters.



Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi confirmed Espinosa's five-day visit on Saturday after meeting the General Assembly president to finalise her visit itineraries.

“Our leadership looks forward to having wide-ranging discussions with Madam Espinosa on global and regional issues,” the ambassador told APP. During the meetings is Islamabad, she added, the General Assembly president will also be briefed on the situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.