Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres held a joint press conference in Islamabad, highlighting Pakistan’s role in global diplomacy, conflict mediation, UN peacekeeping and climate action while stressing dialogue and negotiation as the way forward in resolving international disputes.
Dar warmly welcomed Guterres to Pakistan, saying the UN chief had accepted Islamabad’s invitation despite his busy schedule. He described Guterres as a “very close friend of Pakistan” and said his visit reflected a shared commitment to addressing multifaceted global challenges.
Ishaq Dar recalled Guterres’ support for Pakistan during the country’s devastating floods, noting that the UN chief had provided immense assistance to Pakistan during the 2012 floods. Guterres also recalled that his previous visit to Pakistan took place during the devastating floods of 2022.
Dar said the two sides discussed cooperation between Pakistan and the United Nations, as well as Pakistan’s role in the international body. They also agreed on the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan had recently secured the adoption of a resolution at the United Nations. He added that discussions focused on how dialogue could help de-escalate tensions and resolve conflicts.
Dar also appreciated Guterres’ support for Pakistan’s role in mediation and reconciliation.
Guterres praises Pakistan’s role at UN
Guterres said he was happy to visit Pakistan again, recalling his 10 years as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He said Pakistan holds a special role at the United Nations and plays a significant and pivotal role in global debates and discussions.
The UN secretary-general praised Pakistan’s efforts to ensure the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees. He also saluted Pakistani leadership for playing a pivotal role in efforts linked to the US-Iran conflict.
Guterres said Pakistan had upheld key values, including multilateralism and dialogue, while also playing a major role in UN peacekeeping. He described Pakistan as the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions and praised Pakistani men and women for their courageous service.
He said Pakistan was itself confronting the challenges posed by terrorism.
Palestinian right to self-determination
The UN chief said global peace would remain impossible without the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. He reiterated that dialogue and multilateralism remain essential to addressing international disputes and said the United Nations stands with the people of Pakistan.
Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to climate diplomacy, noting that the country played a crucial role in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund.
He said around 20% of the world’s nations are responsible for toxic gas emissions and stressed the need to reduce environmentally harmful emissions.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Ishaq Dar said Pakistan believes in peace and security, dialogue and multilateralism. He highlighted Islamabad’s efforts to bring conflicting parties together under one roof, saying parties that had not sat together for 47 years were brought together in Islamabad.
“This task could not be accomplished over the past 47 years,” Dar said, underscoring the significance of the development.
He also said Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change and reiterated the need for international cooperation on the issue.
Pakistan discusses complex global challenges
Dar said the global situation is extremely complex, with multiple challenges, including Iran-US tensions and the situation involving the Houthis in the Bab-el-Mandeb. He said resolutions exist for many international issues, but implementation remains a major challenge, citing the Kashmir issue as an example.
“Where do we stand today, following February 28?” Dar asked, referring to the developments that have unfolded since the date.
He recalled that Pakistan was the first country to condemn the Israeli attack on Iran immediately after it occurred. Dar said he had also immediately urged the Iranian foreign minister to exercise restraint and patience.
The deputy prime minister said mechanisms for accountability must be established when UN resolutions are not implemented.
Dar, Guterres discuss UN Security Council reforms
Dar said reforms within the UN Security Council also came under discussion during the meeting. He said the international community needs effective mechanisms to ensure that resolutions are implemented, particularly when unresolved disputes continue to create instability.
Guterres, meanwhile, reiterated that all issues can be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. He said his office would always remain available to support such efforts.
Asked about his future after completing his tenure at the United Nations, Guterres said he has no political ambitions after his UN term concludes. He made clear that he will not re-enter political life after leaving the United Nations.
Guterres again emphasized that all issues can be addressed through dialogue and negotiation, adding that his office would remain available in this regard.
The joint appearance in Islamabad underscored Pakistan and the United Nations’ shared emphasis on diplomacy, multilateralism, conflict resolution, peacekeeping and climate action amid an increasingly complex global situation.
