PM set to address UNGA on September 23

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to address the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 23, a Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release on Sunday.

The session begins on 19 September and the PM is to participate in the high-level debate in the concluding session where he is expected to focus on the challenge faced by Pakistan in wake of the recent climate-induced catastrophic floods in the country.

Read Climate change is here to stay, but could floods be managed better?

The PM is also to outline concrete proposals for collectively tackling the existential threat posed by climate change while sharing Pakistan’s position and perspective on regional and global issues of concern including Jammu and Kashmir.

During the visit, Shehbaz will be joined by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and other members of the cabinet and senior officials.

“The prime minister’s participation in the UNGA Session is a manifestation of Pakistan’s abiding commitment to multilateralism, with the UN playing a central role in international affairs for promoting peace and prosperity worldwide,” the Foreign Office added.

Both in its national capacity and as the current chair of the largest international grouping of developing countries – the Group of 77 and China – as well as the current chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, Pakistan will serve as the collective voice of the Global South to promote international peace and security, sustainable development and human rights for all, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

Leaders will also have the opportunity to interact during the receptions hosted by the UN secretary-general and the president of the United States. The prime minister will also hold interactions with the international media.

On the sidelines of the UNGA Session, PM Shehbaz will participate in the ‘Global Food Security Summit’ jointly organised by the African Union, European Union and the United States, and a closed-door Leaders Gathering on COP-27 bringing together select world leaders to discuss climate change. These will be important platforms to deliberate on effective measures required at the global level for addressing the two most pressing challenges confronting the international community today.

Read More PM Shehbaz proposes debt swap for climate action

PM Shehbaz will hold a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries, the president of the General Assembly, the UN secretary-general as well as heads of international organisations, international financial institutions, and philanthropic organisations.

FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also have an extensive programme attending various high-level meetings and events, bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts, media and think-tank interactions, besides chairing G-77 and China Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers, OIC Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers, and participation in the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

The UN summit will mark a fresh occasion to build momentum on global action on climate change, amid mounting signs that the planet is descending into dangerous levels of warming.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said he will use the week to speak frankly with leaders amid guarded hopes for further progress on climate during the next climate summit, COP27, in Egypt in November.