Pakistan begins 2-year term at UNSC

Country will sit in the 15-nation house for the 2025-26 term

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ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan began its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on Wednesday as it sought to push for multilateralism, dialogue and diplomacy to resolve festering world disputes, including Palestine and Kashmir.

Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the 15-member powerful UN body for the term 2025-2026 in June 2024, receiving an overwhelming support in the elections held by the UN General Assembly in New York.

Pakistan got 182 votes out of 185 polled through a secret ballot. Five other countries abstained from voting. Pakistan was one of the five candidates contesting the election for the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council.

Pakistan along with other non-permanent members would serve a two-year term from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, replacing Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end on December 31.

Pakistan was endorsed by the 53-member Asian Group. The country previously served seven times on the Council in 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69, and 1952-53.

The Security Council consists of 15 countries, including five permanent members and ten non-permanent members.

The 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for a period of two years, which includes all 193 UN Member States, based on regional geographical distribution.

Voting is by secret ballot, and candidates must receive a two-thirds majority, or 128 votes to be declared as elected.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, hosted a reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the beginning of Pakistan's term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the years 2025-2026.

The event was attended by the heads of resident Missions of the UN Security Council Member States in Islamabad and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister said that elected for an eighth time, Pakistan brings to the Security Council a rich legacy of experience and an unwavering commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. He highlighted Pakistan's contributions to international peace and security, especially through its active role in UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavors around the world.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister underlined that Pakistan looked forward to seeking just and peaceful resolution of situations on the agenda of the UN Security Council. As a member of the Council, Pakistan will continue to oppose the unilateral and illegal use or threat of force; combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and support effective UN peacekeeping, and peacebuilding efforts.