New York, USA – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed his country’s unwavering commitment to promoting multilateralism. He emphasized that his country will continue to champion international dialogue and cooperation to address common challenges.
This came during his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. It was on the sidelines of his participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly held in New York.
Climate and regional security
Sharif explained, according to Radio Pakistan, that the international community must intensify its efforts. They also need to mobilize additional funding to support countries most vulnerable to the risks of climate change. Most notably, Pakistan suffers from recurring natural disasters due to extreme weather events.
The meeting addressed national and regional issues of concern to Pakistan. Most notably these included the Kashmir issue, the Indus Waters Treaty, and the issue of foreign-backed terrorism.
Kashmir issue
The Pakistani Prime Minister stressed the need to reach a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue, in line with UN Security Council resolutions. He noted that the continuation of the conflict poses a direct threat to regional peace and security.
Guterres’ support
For his part, the UN Secretary-General commended Pakistan’s role in supporting multilateralism and international cooperation. He also emphasized the importance of continuing joint action to address global challenges, most notably climate and security.