Pakistan to commence two-year term as non-permanent UNSC member from January 1
United Nations: Pakistan’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will commence on January 1, 2025, and run until December 31, 2026.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement to APP, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram, said that Pakistan will play an active and constructive role in addressing the key challenges facing the world as part of its tenure on the UNSC. Pakistan has been elected as a non-permanent member of the 15-member council for the eighth time. In June 2023, Pakistan was elected with overwhelming support, securing 182 votes out of 193 member countries of the UN General Assembly, far exceeding the required two-thirds majority.
Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted that Pakistan is starting its term at a time of significant geopolitical turmoil, with intense competition between two major powers, ongoing wars in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and a rapidly increasing arms race. He said that, as a responsible state, Pakistan will work in accordance with the UN Charter to prevent wars, promote peaceful resolution of disputes in the Pacific, and address the negative impacts of conflicts, arms races, new weaponry, and terrorism.
He added that Pakistan will focus on issues related to cross-border terrorism, the suppression of Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, the growing imbalance of arms in South Asia, and dealing with discriminatory sanctions imposed on Pakistan in the context of strategic deterrence. He further stated that Pakistan has a well-trained and professional team at the UN capable of effectively addressing these challenges.
Munir Akram also mentioned that Pakistan will replace Japan, which currently holds the Asian seat on the Security Council, and stressed that Pakistan’s presence on the UNSC will be felt. He pointed out that Pakistan has been elected as a non-permanent member on several occasions, including in 1952-53, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1993-94, 2003-04, 2012-13. Over the past 50 years, Pakistan has played a crucial role in strengthening international peace and security and has been an important partner in UN peacekeeping missions.
