Premier to highlight Gaza crisis, Kashmir issue, climate change and other global concerns in his speech
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left London on Monday for New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
PM Shehbaz was seen off at London’s Luton Airport by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Mohammad Faisal, along with members of the diplomatic staff.
Shehbaz Sharif will address the 193-member Assembly on September 26, his third appearance before the body. His speech, according to a foreign office statement, will cover the crisis in Gaza, the right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), climate change and other global concerns.
PM will attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA session, including meetings of the UN Security Council, the High-Level Meeting of the Global Development Initiative and a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action.
“He will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues about regional and international peace and security,” the foreign office said.
Premier will hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders and senior UN officials to exchange views on key issues. He will underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all UN member states to uphold the UN Charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council.
On climate change, Shehbaz Sharif will present Pakistan’s perspective, emphasising the need for urgent global action. He will also address the threat of terrorism and the rising tide of Islamophobia worldwide, and highlight Pakistan’s viewpoint on achieving sustainable development goals aimed at reducing poverty.
“It’s an important session which marks the UN’s 80th anniversary,” said Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, adding that the Pakistani delegation, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will play an active role on regional and global issues.
World leaders gather for UNGA session
World leaders began gathering for a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session expected to be dominated by the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, rising Western recognition of Palestinian statehood and nuclear tensions with Iran, as the organisation marks its 80th anniversary.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “We are gathering in turbulent, even uncharted, waters,” saying international cooperation was “straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.”
More than 150 heads of state or government, along with dozens of ministers, will take part in the high-level General Debate beginning on September 23, when US President Donald Trump will be among the first speakers.
