Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, calling for urgent and coordinated multilateral action to address worsening geopolitical conflicts, regional counter-terrorism imperatives, and equitable global climate finance.
During the bilateral meeting at UN Headquarters, the Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan's deep concern over escalating tensions across the Middle East, emphasizing the absolute necessity of enforcing an immediate ceasefire, protecting civilians, and upholding international humanitarian law in Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed that sustainable regional peace remains impossible without addressing the root causes of historical disputes.
Reaffirming Fundamental Right to Self-Determination
Prime Minister Sharif underscored Pakistan's principled and unwavering commitment to the right to self-determination for the peoples of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He called upon the United Nations and the international community to take tangible steps to implement long-standing Security Council mandates to ensure enduring peace and justice in South Asia and the Middle East.
The Prime Minister also briefed the UN Chief on regional security challenges, specifically highlighting persistent threats posed by cross-border terrorist networks operating with impunity from Afghan soil. He called on the international community to hold regional actors accountable and support Pakistan's steadfast counter-terrorism sacrifices. Continuous updates on international diplomacy and national policy are accessible on PakPulse247 News.
Climate Vulnerability and Global Finance Mobilization
Highlighting Pakistan's vulnerability to extreme climate-induced weather events despite contributing less than one percent of global carbon emissions, Prime Minister Sharif urged the operationalization and capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund established under UN climate frameworks. He noted that developing nations require accessible, grant-based financing rather than debt-burdened loans to build disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Secretary-General Guterres warmly recognized Pakistan's historic role and significant contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide, where thousands of Pakistani blue helmets have served under the UN banner. The Secretary-General commended Pakistan's active diplomatic engagement on multilateral reform and reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting sustainable development goals across South Asia.
High-Level Bilateral Engagements in New York
The meeting with the Secretary-General forms part of an intensive diplomatic itinerary for Prime Minister Sharif in New York, which included bilateral exchanges with fellow world leaders and heads of government. Later on Friday, the Prime Minister delivered Pakistan's national policy address before the General Debate of the 81st General Assembly session, articulating Islamabad's vision for an equitable, peaceful, and rules-based international order.