UNITED NATIONS: After a robust campaign lasting for months, Pakistan was elected to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council on Thursday, receiving an impressive 182 out of 193 votes from the General Assembly, significantly exceeding the required two-thirds majority of 124 votes.
The election results were met with loud applause in the General Assembly hall as President Dennis Francis announced the new non-permanent members: Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia. These countries will take over from Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland when their terms conclude at the end of this year.
Pakistan is set to replace Japan in the Asian seat starting January 1, 2025, marking its eighth term on the Council.
Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, shared his excitement, stating, “This election reflects the international community’s trust in Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter.”
He highlighted Pakistan’s resolve to cooperate closely with other Council members to promote peace and resolve conflicts amicably.
Pakistan’s agenda for its term includes promoting regional peace and security, supporting self-determination in Palestine and Kashmir, seeking stability in Afghanistan, addressing security issues in Africa, and enhancing the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations. Akram emphasised the importance of these priorities during Pakistan’s upcoming term.
As a major contributor to UN peacekeeping, Pakistan has over 4,000 personnel deployed globally and has been a key player in international peace efforts over the past half-century.
The new non-permanent members will join the Council’s five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France — along with the non-permanent members elected last year: Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the nation on Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent Member of the UN Security Council for the term 2025-26 with overwhelming support of 182 votes.
He said Pakistan looked forward to upholding its commitment to the UN Charter’s vision of preventing war & promoting peace; fostering global prosperity; and promoting universal respect for human rights.
“We remain determined to contributing effectively towards the maintenance of international peace & security in line with UNSC’s mandate,” he said in a post on X.
He also commended the excellent election campaign and teamwork by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Mission to the UN, and all the missions abroad.
