Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York from September 23-27, 2024, according to the Foreign Office (FO). He will be joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with senior government officials, as announced by FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a weekly press briefing.
In his address to the UNGA, the prime minister aims to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and highlight the UN’s role in promoting global peace, security, and prosperity. He will also stress the need to address key issues on the UN Security Council’s agenda, such as the situation in Palestine and Indian-held Kashmir.
Additionally, the prime minister will participate in several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the session, including discussions on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise and an open debate on leadership for peace within the UN Security Council. His agenda also includes bilateral meetings with global leaders, as well as sessions with the UN Secretary-General, the President of the UNGA, and members of the Pakistani diaspora.
Simultaneously, Foreign Minister Dar will engage in various high-level events and bilateral discussions with his counterparts. He will represent Pakistan at the UN Secretary-General’s Summit of the Future on September 22 and take part in multiple ministerial meetings, including those of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the OIC contact group on Jammu and Kashmir, the G77 and China, and the non-aligned movement.
The spokesperson noted that the prime minister’s participation in the 79th UNGA session presents an opportunity to articulate Pakistan’s perspectives on significant global issues while reaffirming the country’s dedication to the principles of the UN Charter and international peace and security.