‘Multilateralism only option for our survival’

ISLAMABAD:

To meet the extraordinary challenges arising out of the deadly pandemic Covid-19, joint action and cooperation are necessary for humanity to survive.

This was the gist of the message conveyed by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies which organised a special webinar “International day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace” to celebrate International Day of Multilateralism and Peace with speakers from Pakistan and different parts of the world.

There is a joint call for dialogue and effective use of multilateralism and diplomacy for peace and development as the Covid 19 challenge has made the world realize that it is only through joint actions and cooperation that we can save humanity from this once-in-a-century pathogen.

Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies Founder President Farhat Asif moderated the session and highlighted the role of IPDS in celebrating this international day as a regular feature of the institution.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Govt of Pakistan Director Human Rights (Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs) Qazi Saleem Ahmad shared his insight in promoting peace and diplomacy and how Pakistan is playing its meaningful part at the global and regional forums.

He said Pakistan is supporting multilateralism and is an active member of the UN and other global and regional organisations. He said that Pakistan strongly believes in the three main pillars of the United Nations: development, peace, and human rights.

"Pakistan is striving to contribute constructively to the agenda-setting, policy formulations, and normative development undertaken through multilateral fora."

From Moscow, Association of Russian Diplomats Chairman Ambassador Igor Khalevinskiy explained the essence of multilateralism and diplomacy in the present era and gave examples of the Belt and Road Initiative and other such initiatives to build closer cooperation among countries to support development and peace.

IIUI Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Amna Mehmood in her remarks said that multilateralism and diplomacy are the only option for the survival of this universe and are the need of time to cut human sufferings, disaster management, and climate change.

Kinnaird College of Women Head-Dept of International Relations, Kinnaird College for Women University, focused her discussion on South Asia and challenges to multilateralism.

Highlighting the ongoing pandemic situation in the region, she said that the primacy of military security over the neglect of human security has undermined national development and national security.

From Berlin, World Security Network Founder and Dr Hubertus Hoffman Foundation-Codes of Tolerance, President Dr Hubertus Hoffman highlighted the missing link in the entire action and dialogue of multilateralism and diplomacy that is humanity and meaningful participation of the people.

He said that there is a need to convert all the dialogue and communications in the action plans and resolve the issues of human rights, security, and development challenges.

A large number of students, faculty members from across the world and Pakistan participated in the virtual seminar.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2021.