Pakistan Takes Presidency of UN Security Council for July

(MENAFN) On Tuesday, Pakistan formally assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July, marking a key moment in its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member, which began on January 1.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN and the president of the Security Council for this month, addressed the media, outlining the nation’s priorities during its leadership of the Council.

Emphasizing a dedication to peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law, Ahmad declared that Pakistan would approach its presidency with transparency, inclusivity, and responsiveness to global crises. He highlighted the importance of member state involvement and reinforced that Pakistan’s approach was rooted in a profound commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

High-level Sessions Set for July

According to Ahmad, Pakistan’s first high-level session on July 22 will center on fostering international peace through multilateral cooperation and non-violent conflict resolution. This session will be chaired by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

A follow-up session, scheduled for July 24, will focus on enhancing collaboration between the UN and regional organizations. This session will also feature a briefing from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ahmad confirmed.

Palestinian Issue at Forefront

In a significant move, Ahmad revealed that Pakistan intends to elevate the ongoing Israel-Palestine discussions to the ministerial level, underscoring the Security Council's duty to protect civilians and ensure adherence to international humanitarian law.

“This is our responsibility. We are making our efforts. We will continue to do that, and we hope that we will overcome the obstacles and we can eventually propose something from the council as an outcome that can contribute to ceasefire and peace and stability,” he said.

Highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Ahmad also pointed to the stalled conference aimed at advancing a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, calling for its resumption. "All those discussions, all those aspects of the Palestinian question, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, they remain under close watch in the Security Council," he added.

Rotating Leadership and Pakistan’s Election

The presidency of the Security Council rotates each month among its 15 members, following an alphabetical order. Pakistan was elected to its current non-permanent seat in June 2024, securing 182 votes out of 193, demonstrating strong support from the international community.

The Security Council is comprised of five permanent members—the US, Russia, China, France, and Britain—who hold veto power, alongside 10 non-permanent members chosen for two-year terms. Pakistan has previously served on the Security Council seven times, with its last tenure being from 2012-2013.

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