Pakistan has officially begun its two-year term (2025-26) as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council today (Wednesday).
The formal flag-raising ceremony for the new members of the Council will take place on January 2 (tomorrow) at the UN headquarters.
This is Pakistan’s eight term on the Council. The country’s previous terms on the UNSC were in 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69, and 1952-53.
Over the decades, Pakistan has played an active role in promoting the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and made significant contributions to international peace and security, including its role as one of the leading troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
Pakistan was elected to the UN Security Council by the General Assembly in June 2024 and has replaced Japan in the Asian seat.
Other four countries that have also started their two-year term as non-permanent members are Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia.
In June last year, Pakistan was elected to the Council with an overwhelming vote as a Council’s non-permanent member, polling 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly representing a two-thirds majority.
In a post on X platform, Ambassador Munir Akram said: “As a non-permanent member of the UNSC, Pakistan will play its active role in promoting the principles & purposes of the UN Charter including the right to self-determination of peoples under foreign occupation. We will work with other Council members to promote peace & security.”
Talking to APP, Ambassador Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that the country will adopt an “active and constructive” approach to addressing global challenges.
He said: “Our presence will be felt in the Security Council.”
Ambassador Akram highlighted the complex global landscape, characterised by intense geopolitical competition, escalating arms races, and ongoing conflicts across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“As a responsible state and the world’s fifth most populous country, Pakistan is committed to playing an active and constructive role in accordance with the UN Charter,” he said.
Pakistan aims to promote peaceful dispute resolution, curb conflicts, and address the proliferation of new weapons and domains of warfare, as well as the rising threat of terrorism.
Ambassador Akram emphasised Pakistan’s responsibility to address regional threats, including cross-border terrorism, the suppression of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, and the growing arms imbalance in South Asia. He also criticised discriminatory measures aimed at undermining Pakistan’s strategic deterrence capabilities.
“Pakistan’s professional and well-trained team at the UN is fully prepared to tackle these challenges effectively,” he asserted.
Ambassador Akram reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening international peace and security through its tenure on the Council, pledging to actively participate in addressing both global and regional challenges.