BEIJING: The unanimous adoption of Pakistan’s four disarmament-related resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security has been described as a landmark development in global efforts to promote peace and stability.
According to Prof Cheng Xizhong, a senior research fellow at the Charhar Institute, a prominent Chinese think tank on diplomacy and international affairs, the move demonstrates growing international recognition of Pakistan’s diplomatic capability and its sustained commitment to realistic, region-based approaches to disarmament.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Prof Cheng noted that Pakistan’s proposals, adopted without opposition, reflect a pragmatic understanding of the world’s evolving security dynamics. He said the country’s consistent advocacy for nuclear disarmament, conventional arms control, and regional Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) has established it as a credible voice for balanced security reforms within the global system.
“For decades, Pakistan has been working to promote constructive dialogue on issues of disarmament and arms control,” he said. “These resolutions are not abstract ideals but actionable frameworks shaped by regional realities.”
He explained that, unlike conventional global disarmament frameworks that attempt to apply uniform principles across diverse regions, Pakistan’s resolutions emphasize the need for regional ownership. Such an approach, he added, allows individual regions to adapt disarmament strategies to their specific historical, political, and security contexts.
Prof Cheng said that in regions marked by historical rivalries and complex security challenges, CBMs play a crucial role in reducing misunderstandings and preventing unintended escalation. “Regional disarmament initiatives can bridge gaps that global institutions often fail to address,” he observed. “By focusing on regional realities, Pakistan’s approach aligns with the UN’s own emphasis on inclusive and context-driven peacebuilding.”
He noted that Pakistan’s advocacy also strengthens the voice of non-nuclear states and helps push nuclear powers toward fulfilling their longstanding disarmament commitments. At the same time, the focus on conventional arms control addresses immediate security threats, such as border tensions, small arms proliferation, and cross-border trafficking — issues that directly affect regional stability.
Prof Cheng said the resolutions adopted this year represent a culmination of Pakistan’s decades-long engagement in global disarmament diplomacy. “Contrary to misperceptions that Pakistan’s focus is driven by narrow national interest, these initiatives arise from genuine experience in managing security challenges at both national and regional levels,” he added.
He said that Pakistan’s disarmament diplomacy has often served as a bridge between developing and developed states in the UN’s disarmament process. “Islamabad’s proposals have consistently emphasized dialogue, balance, and verifiable compliance rather than unilateral disarmament or coercive frameworks,” he said. “That balanced approach is what gives these resolutions broad appeal.”
According to the Chinese scholar, the international community’s endorsement of the resolutions reflects confidence in Pakistan’s constructive role in global peace efforts. “Pakistan’s voice carries moral and diplomatic weight because it is rooted in consistency and realism,” he said.
The resolutions are expected to move from the First Committee to the General Assembly for formal endorsement next month. Prof Cheng said their unanimous adoption at the committee stage is a strong signal of collective commitment to practical disarmament progress.
“As the resolutions proceed to the General Assembly, they remind us that disarmament is most effective when it is both inclusive and contextualized,” he said. “Pakistan’s achievement demonstrates how a middle power, through sustained diplomacy, can help drive consensus on even the most complex global security issues.”
He added that the challenge now lies in translating the resolutions into measurable action. “It is not enough to agree on principles,” he said. “UN member states must now work to strengthen regional CBMs, limit the flow of conventional weapons, and develop mechanisms to monitor compliance.”
Prof Cheng concluded that Pakistan’s diplomatic success offers an important precedent for multilateral cooperation rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility. “In a world increasingly divided by mistrust and competition, Pakistan’s proposals show that responsible, region-centric leadership can advance global disarmament in tangible ways,” he said.
He urged all UN members to seize the opportunity created by the resolutions’ adoption to reinvigorate dialogue on arms reduction and peaceful coexistence. “The promise of peace,” he said, “depends not only on intentions but on coordinated, collective action.”
