PM to preside over debate at UNSC on Jan 21

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be visiting the United States in the third week of January, where he will preside over a debate on ‘UN Peacekeeping: a multidimensional approach’ at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York, on January 21. This will be his first official visit to the US as prime minister.

“The open debate will be regarding ,‘UN Peacekeeping: a multidimensional approach’, with the objective of having a comprehensive view of the United Nations peacekeeping, which is the biggest and the most prominent area of work of the Organization and one of the most important tools at the disposal of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. The increasing nexus and inter-linkage between peacekeeping and peace building has also characterised the UN’s success in this field in recent years,” says the office of the ambassador.

Earlier on January 15, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will preside over another debate, at the Security Council, regarding ‘Comprehensive approach to counter terrorism’.The debate will provide an opportunity to the Council members and the general membership to have a holistic view of the continuing threats and challenges posed by international terrorism and the best ways of formulating and implementing coherent and comprehensive responses to this menace.

The UN Secretary General will brief the Council, on both occasions.“We have put the difficult issue of counter terrorism on the agenda of the Council for a special debate. Terrorism can only be rooted out through a comprehensive approach of deterrence, dialogue and development”, Pakistan Permanent Representative, Ambassador Masood Khan says.

By the time Pakistan’s delegation reaches New York, President-elect Barack Obama and his cabinet should be in place. Pakistan is hoping that meetings on the sidelines with US officials and other foreign dignitaries could take place.

Pakistan will be playing an active role at the UN, after Ambassador Masood Khan, formally assumed the Presidency, on Tuesday.“During its presidency, Pakistan will help Council members to forge consensus and bridge differences. Ours will be an effective presidency”, the Pakistan envoy said.

Pakistan was elected last year as a non-permanent member of the 15-member body. This is for the first time that Pakistan is assuming its rotational office of the UN Security Council Presidency during the present two-year term.

“The people of Pakistan are proud of their association with the UN. That’s why they have generously contributed to UN peacekeeping”, Ambassador Masood Khan says.

In the past 52 years, Pakistan has sent 144,711 troops to 23 countries and 41 missions. 132 Pakistani peacekeepers had laid down their lives in the cause of international peace during these missions.

“The peacekeeping is our soft power. It captures deepest aspirations of the people of Pakistan for regional and global peace”, Ambassador Masood Khan said.

As a leading and one of the most consistent contributors of personnel to UN peacekeeping operations over the decades, Pakistan has a vital interest in the continued effectiveness and success of UN peacekeeping. There are significant challenges and equally promising opportunities in the area of peacekeeping. Pakistan believes that the Council’s debate will be a contribution to its collective efforts to make peacekeeping work even better.

“As a nation, Pakistan has shown courage, resilience and ingenuity in supporting the international community quest for peace and security. Pakistan has been a staunch partner of the international community”, says Ambassador Masood Khan.

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