PM Shehbaz arrives in New York for 81st UNGA

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York with a small delegation to represent Pakistan at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will address world leaders on September 25.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the prime minister during the visit.

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened on September 8, while its general debate is scheduled from September 22 to 26 and again on September 28 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Prime Minister Shehbaz will deliver Pakistan's national statement before the General Assembly on September 25, presenting Islamabad's position on major regional and international developments.

In his address, the prime minister will focus on the evolving regional and global security situation and underline Pakistan's call for dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

He is also expected to highlight Pakistan's diplomatic and mediation efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and promoting peace and stability.

The Foreign Office earlier said the prime minister would use his UNGA address to present Pakistan's perspective on regional and global developments while stressing dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Shehbaz will also outline Pakistan's priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia and challenges facing the global economy.

The prime minister is expected to discuss issues confronting developing countries and the Global South as well as Pakistan's position on reforms to the international system and multilateral institutions.

The Foreign Office has said Pakistan's UN engagements will also focus on sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges and UN reform.

Shehbaz will draw the international community's attention to the Kashmir and Palestine disputes, including Pakistan's position on the right to self-determination and the impact of prolonged conflicts on civilian populations.

Pakistan has said it will continue to raise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir at international forums and reiterate its support for the Palestinian cause during the UN high-level week.

The prime minister's visit comes as world leaders gather in New York for the annual high-level week amid conflicts, economic pressures, climate-related challenges and concerns over the effectiveness of the international multilateral system.

The theme of the 81st UNGA session is "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All." The session is being presided over by Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh.

Apart from his address to the General Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz will participate in several high-level events on the sidelines of the session.

His engagements will include meetings dealing with development, climate action and other major international issues, where he will present Pakistan's perspective and priorities.

The UN's high-level programme includes meetings on the right to development, climate action and a just transition, sea-level rise, and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

Shehbaz will also hold bilateral meetings with world leaders attending the General Assembly session and is expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The meetings will provide Pakistan an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues with leaders of different countries.

Dar, who reached New York ahead of the prime minister, also has a series of diplomatic engagements during the high-level week.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar will attend meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, including the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, as well as high-level meetings concerning Palestine.

He is also scheduled to participate in a UN Security Council high-level briefing on artificial intelligence, attend the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and chair a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation Council of Ministers.

The Foreign Office said Dar would also accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz during high-level bilateral meetings and other engagements in New York.

Pakistan's delegation has been kept relatively small for this year's session, with Dar and Fatemi forming the core team accompanying the prime minister.

During his UN engagements, Shehbaz is expected to emphasise Pakistan's commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter while calling for greater international cooperation to address conflicts, climate change, terrorism and economic challenges.

The prime minister's September 25 address will serve as Pakistan's main opportunity during the UN General Assembly's high-level week to present its positions on regional security, Kashmir, Palestine and major global economic and development issues.