Ishaq Dar to head to New York for key UN meetings as Pakistan backs China's push for stronger multilateralism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart from Beijing on Tuesday for New York to participate in a series of important United Nations meetings, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

During his visit, Dar will take part in the United Nations Security Council’s open debate titled “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International System.”

The high-level debate will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In its statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan welcomed China’s “timely initiative,” describing it as an important effort to reinforce multilateralism and strengthen the central role of the United Nations in addressing increasingly complex global challenges.

On Thursday, Dar will also participate in a meeting of the Group of Friends on Global Governance under the theme: “Reforming and Improving Global Governance, Working Together to Address Global Challenges.”

The Group of Friends on Global Governance, established in December last year, comprises 43 countries, including Pakistan, China and Palestine. The platform was created to promote collective efforts aimed at reforming and improving the global governance system.

Besides attending multilateral engagements, Dar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts and senior UN officials on the sidelines of the meetings.

Reaffirming Islamabad’s diplomatic stance, the Foreign Office said Pakistan remained firmly committed to multilateralism and stood ready to contribute constructively towards global peace, security and sustainable development.