Let me start by offering an overview of the international environment today as this obviously impacts and should shape Pakistan’s foreign policy choices and diplomacy. This is an unsettled time in global affairs.

In my very first statement to the Council on the situation in the Middle East in April 2015, I spoke of a growing tide of complex and interconnected challenges threatening to push the region into a fresh vortex of violence and instability. Today, as I take the floor in what would be my last statement on the issue, I daresay, with a heavy heart, that the grim situation prevailing on the ground, appears to have confirmed some of our worst fears – riven by protracted and emerging conflicts, escalating violence and worsening humanitarian crises, the Middle East’s geostrategic landscape is clouded by competing and divergent interests of major regional powers.The…

Over the decades Peacekeeping has become the UN’s flagship enterprise, and one of its pivotal tools to manage complex conflicts that pose a threat to international peace and security. Because of their hard work, dedication and sacrifice Blue Helmets are now acknowledged and respected all over the world as an indispensable instrument of the UN. We have seen an increasing focus on improving the performance of peacekeeping over the past year, through the normative framework, and in terms of concepts such as agility and protection through projection, that are heavily reliant on additional expectations from Troop Contribution Countries (TCCs). It is after all the TCCs that are expected to provide…

Let me start by congratulating Fiji and Sweden for co-hosting this landmark Conference. We also commend the leadership shown by the distinguished Permanent Representatives of Portugal and Singapore in their capacity as co-facilitators during the negotiations for the Call for Action document.

Pakistan’s position on Security Council reform is well known. In this forum we have elaborated and detailed our ideas on all five key issues of reform. And we will continue to do so in this year’s IGN as well.

We thank you for convening today’s debate affording Member States the opportunity to express their views on the Secretary General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (A/70/674 of 24 December 2016). We welcome the Secretary-General’s initiative and believe that violent extremism can best be addressed and effective responses evolved by taking into account the views and experiences of Member States.