ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar has expressed his concern that despite progress in promoting peace, xenophobia, racism, and intolerance still exist in the world and emphasized that the UN is crucial for building understanding and fighting hate and discrimination.
Presenting a new proposal at the UN General Assembly about a "Culture of Peace," Pakistan's representative Asim Iftikhar said that many countries supported the idea.
Pakistan and the Philippines have asked countries of the world to talk more across different religions and cultures. They believe this can lead to global peace, harmony, and better understanding between everyone.
The goal is to encourage harmony, tolerance, and cooperation between different religions, nations, and communities.
The representative made it clear that talking between different religions, cultures, and civilizations is really important for everyone to live together peacefully and for lasting global peace. He added that countries need to keep working towards societies where everyone is included, diversity is valued, and basic rights and freedoms are respected.
The representative reminded everyone of the UN Charter's Preamble, which says member states promise "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors."
He also brought up UNESCO's Constitution, which states, "since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."
Pakistan and the Philippines brought up this resolution, which happens every two years, again.
They wanted to keep pushing the main idea of solidarity between faiths and harmony between cultures, something that was confirmed again at the UN General Assembly's 78th session.
The proposed resolution clearly states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, and countries are committed to protecting human rights and basic freedoms for all.
It also emphasizes that violence is never okay, even when responding to religious intolerance, and should never be tied to any religion, nationality, or ethnic group.
To finish, the countries sponsoring the resolution hoped it would pass again with everyone agreeing. This, they felt, would send a powerful message of unity, peace, and harmony to the entire world.
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