At the UN: Pakistan leads on several fronts
Country wins several seats in Ecosoc subsidiaries.
UNITED NATIONS:
Its record on governance at home may be contentious, but Pakistan is seen favourably by the global community as a nation with potential to lead international efforts for development.
This week saw Pakistan securing seats in several subsidiary bodies of the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), one of the principal organs of the UN focused on development.
Pakistan not only won its bid for membership of the Commission for Social Development – along with China and Kuwait from the Asia-Pacific region – but also was elected as member of the Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, Pakistan has also become part of the 20-member Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The country is also a member of the Executive Board of the UN Children Fund (Unicef), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund.
In addition to the Ecosoc and its subsidiary bodies, Pakistan is presently serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the most influential and powerful organ of the UN, which is subject to criticism for its undemocratic structure by a large number of UN member nations.
In the past, both India and Pakistan expressed their support for democratic changes in the structure and functioning of the Council, but differed on the modalities of reforms.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said "principal organs of the US" instead of "principal organs of the UN".
The correction has been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2012.
Its record on governance at home may be contentious, but Pakistan is seen favourably by the global community as a nation with potential to lead international efforts for development.
This week saw Pakistan securing seats in several subsidiary bodies of the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), one of the principal organs of the UN focused on development.
Pakistan not only won its bid for membership of the Commission for Social Development – along with China and Kuwait from the Asia-Pacific region – but also was elected as member of the Commission on the Status of Women. In addition, Pakistan has also become part of the 20-member Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The country is also a member of the Executive Board of the UN Children Fund (Unicef), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund.
In addition to the Ecosoc and its subsidiary bodies, Pakistan is presently serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, the most influential and powerful organ of the UN, which is subject to criticism for its undemocratic structure by a large number of UN member nations.
In the past, both India and Pakistan expressed their support for democratic changes in the structure and functioning of the Council, but differed on the modalities of reforms.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said "principal organs of the US" instead of "principal organs of the UN".
The correction has been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2012.