Pakistan launches bid for UNSC seat for 2025-26

UNGA president lauds Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism

NEWYORK:

 

Pakistan has formally launched its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two year term from 2025 to 2026 with the promise of contributing meaningfully to the council’s mandate for international peace and security.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Munir Akram formally announced Pakistan’s candidacy at a well-attended reception at the UN on Thursday held in connection with the Pakistan Day celebrations.

The reception at the Pakistani Mission to the UN in New York, was attended UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis, top diplomats from the UN permanent missions, officials, members of academia, media, civil society organisations and the Pakistani diaspora.

Speaking on the occasion, Akram underscored Pakistan’s consistent efforts to champion the causes of the Global South and promote cooperative multilateralism. He also highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to the UN and several notable achievements.

Seeking support from the international community for Pakistan’s UNSC bid, Ambassador Akram expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the UNSC’s mandate for international peace and security.

“Pakistan’s foreign policy is rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, including the non-use or threat of force in international relation, respect for sovereignty, and territorial integrity, right to self-determination and non-interference in internal affairs of states,” Akram said.

He mentioned Pakistan’s services on key UN bodies, including the UNSC, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council and Group of 77 besides the country’s significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 200,000 service members, serving in 46 missions worldwide.

Speaking as the chief guest at the reception, UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis lauded Pakistan’s “steadfast, devoted and robust commitment” to multilateralism, and its significant contributions to various UN bodies and platforms.

“Pakistan’s journey has been punctuated by remarkable achievements and an unwavering spirit expressed in the resilience of its people,” Francis said. He underscored Pakistan’s consistent efforts to champion the causes of the Global South and promote cooperative multilateralism.

“I take this opportunity to applaud Pakistan’s consistent work – working alongside the membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation [OIC] – to elevate the concern about Islamophobia. “Pakistan’s Ecosoc presidency in 2021… successfully achieved a consensus on debt relief and restructuring.”