FM Bilawal arrives in New York to host special G-77 and China ministerial meeting

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in New York on Tuesday to host a special ministerial meeting of the G-77 and China at the United Nations Headquarters.

On 15-16 December, the foreign minister will host and chair the conference of the G-77 and China, the largest negotiating bloc of developing countries within the UN system.

The agenda of the conference includes a discussion on multiple challenges facing the developing countries in attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the face of Covid-19 pandemic, climate-induced disasters and geopolitical developments.

The foreign minister is undertaking an official visit to the United States from December 14 to 21.

The foreign minister’s programme includes multiple multilateral and bilateral engagements in New York and Washington DC, the foreign office spokesperson said in an earlier press release.

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The foreign minister will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and participate in a high-level debate at the UN Security Council on the theme of “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism” to be held on December 14.

He will travel to Washington DC on December 19 where he would hold meetings with high-level government officials, congressional leaders, Pakistani-American businessmen, and community members. He will also engage with the think-tanks and the media.

“During his official meetings, bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest will be discussed to carry forward the momentum in Pakistan-US bilateral relations, particularly in areas of trade, investment, climate resilience and economic development,” the statement added.

The foreign minister will also share Pakistan’s perspective on climate change, and sensitise his interlocutors on the colossal damage inflicted by climate-induced floods in Pakistan and the post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation plan of the government of Pakistan.