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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday called for renewed momentum behind a Libyan-led peace process, arguing before the United Nations Security Council that financial transparency and unified spending could be decisive in stabilizing the country. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the Council&#39;s quarterly session on the UN Support Mission in Libya, framing the crisis around three interlinked tracks -- political, security, and economic -- and placing emphasis on the economic dimension as &quot;central to sustainable peace.&quot; &quot;Pakistan considers Libya a brotherly country,&quot; the envoy said, welcoming what he described as a &quot;milestone&quot; agreement among Libyan leaders on a unified spending framework. According to the press release, the ambassador suggested it could reduce fragmentation and restore confidence in state institutions if implemented effectively. Pakistan also sought to reframe UN sanctions, stressing that asset freezes should not be seen as punitive but as &quot;safeguards for Libyan resources.&quot; The envoy pointed to provisions under a recent Security Council resolution aimed at improving transparency and management of frozen assets, including cooperation with Libya&rsquo;s sovereign wealth structures. On security, Islamabad welcomed a relative calm in and around Tripoli and backed continued efforts to unify all Libyan stakeholders. It also supported ongoing UN mediation between eastern and western factions. Pakistan cited unresolved disputes between Libya&rsquo;s rival legislative bodies over electoral laws and institutional control, endorsing the UN&rsquo;s structured dialogue approach to bridge these gaps. Ahmad concluded by committing to continued cooperation with Security Council partners in support of a &quot;stable, secure and united Libya.&quot;

Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, at the UN Security Council Briefing on UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on 22 April, 2026 (Photo: X/@PakistanUN_NY)

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan's representative to the UN says the unified spending agreement could reduce fragmentation and restore confidence in state institutions if implemented effectively.

Pakistan calls economic track 'central' to Libya peace at UN briefing

<span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated its readiness to work with all partners to advance reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for a more democratic, representative and accountable body, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">According to the report, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said Islamabad firmly believes in the principle of sovereign equality and considers it central to the debate on Security Council reform.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">He said Pakistan stands ready to engage with all partners to help build consensus on a reformed Council that reflects the interests and aspirations of the wider UN membership, rather than a narrow concentration of power.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">The ambassador stressed the need for the council to become more democratic and representative to strengthen its legitimacy and effectiveness.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">Pakistan has long argued that reform of the 15-member Security Council should not entrench inequality by expanding permanent seats, and instead should focus on broader representation, transparency and accountability.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">Recent reporting has also highlighted Islamabad&rsquo;s opposition to adding new permanent members, describing such proposals as inconsistent with the principle of sovereign equality among states.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">The latest remarks come as debate over UN reform continues to gather pace amid criticism that the Security Council has struggled to respond effectively to major international crises.&nbsp; <span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; float: none; display: inline !important;">Pakistan has repeatedly said that any reform process must be member-driven and aimed at making the Council more responsive to the broader international community.&nbsp;

Pakistan reiterates its support for UN Security Council reform, urging a more democratic, representative and accountable body, while stressing sovereign equality and broader membership interests in the ongoing reform process.

Pakistan calls for sovereign equality in UNSC reform

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged stronger cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union in a statement at a UN Security Council meeting on the EU&#39;s partnership with the UN, saying deeper collaboration had become strategically vital at a time of mounting global instability. According to the ambassador&rsquo;s statement released by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, he said the widening geopolitical divide was putting growing strain on multilateralism and pushing the rules-based international order towards a dangerous tipping point. The ambassador said Pakistan valued the EU&rsquo;s longstanding support for multilateralism, international law and the UN Charter, and welcomed its continued commitment to working with the UN as the central pillar of international cooperation. The statement said the ambassador warned that strategic competition was increasingly replacing cooperation at a time when the world most needed collective action to bridge development gaps and promote shared prosperity. In that context, he said cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations under Chapter VIII of the UN Charter should be treated as a strategic necessity.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2043868463551397947&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=695618f6f280be58ce22ef01cddd46d57957413f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Referring to the role of regional bodies, the ambassador said organisations such as the EU were important partners in advancing peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. He also recalled Security Council Resolution 2788, adopted during Pakistan&rsquo;s presidency of the Council last July, which recognised the contribution of regional and sub-regional organisations in complementing UN efforts to prevent conflict and encourage peaceful dispute resolution, according to the statement. The statement said Ahmed pointed to ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Europe and the Middle East as evidence that crises no longer remain confined to their immediate geographic areas. He said Pakistan&rsquo;s position remained anchored in the UN Charter and in support for dialogue, de-escalation and peaceful settlement of disputes. The ambassador also expressed appreciation for EU backing for Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful outcome in West Asia. On Palestine, the ambassador said the EU remained a significant diplomatic and humanitarian actor and acknowledged its support for a just and lasting two-state solution in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, the statement said. He added that the bloc could play a greater role in efforts to ease Palestinian suffering and advance Palestinian rights, including self-determination and statehood. The statement said the ambassador also voiced hope for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Ukraine and highlighted a range of global challenges disproportionately affecting the Global South, including food insecurity, freshwater scarcity, energy volatility, supply chain disruption, pandemics, climate change and natural disasters. He further praised EU support for the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, humanitarian assistance and reform of the international financial system, while also commending EU-UN cooperation in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, according to the statement. Highlighting bilateral ties, Ahmad said the EU was Pakistan&rsquo;s largest trade and investment partner and described the GSP Plus framework as a mutually beneficial model that had supported growth in Pakistan-EU trade, the statement added.

Pakistan’s UN ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad urged stronger UN-EU cooperation at the Security Council, saying global instability, conflict and development challenges require deeper multilateral partnership, while also highlighting Palestine, Ukraine, peacebuilding and Pakistan’s growing economic ties with the bloc.

Pakistan calls for deeper UN-EU partnership at UNSC

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday issued its first-ever presidential statement on closer cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&nbsp;to address regional challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, and food and water security.&nbsp; The statement, submitted by Bahrain&#39;s UN representative in his capacity as Council President for April, recognizes the GCC&rsquo;s &quot;position and expertise&quot; in promoting regional peace and security, and acknowledges its &quot;contributions to regional and international stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, technical and financial support, and humanitarian engagement.&quot; The Council requested that the UN Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, include recommendations on strengthening institutional ties with the GCC in his next report, and encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General. &quot;The ongoing escalation underlines the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action,&quot; said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, stressing the importance of &ldquo;strengthened&rdquo; UN-GCC cooperation. He highlighted the GCC&#39;s role in de-escalating regional tensions, supporting mediation in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and its cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. &#39;Cornerstone of the global economy&#39;GCC Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi told the Council the bloc is a &quot;cornerstone of the global economy&quot;, noting its combined output exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2024 and its members&rsquo; major contribution to global oil and gas supplies. He warned that instability in the Gulf carries global consequences. &quot;Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,&quot; he said. Bahrain&#39;s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani announced that his country had submitted a separate draft resolution to the Council addressing what he described as Iran&#39;s &quot;unlawful and unjustified&quot; attempts to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected Friday. Delegates from the United Kingdom and France backed GCC states&#39; right to defend their sovereignty, with France stating Iran &quot;bears the primary responsibility for the current escalation.&quot;&nbsp; Russia countered that the conflict was &quot;the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran&#39;s territory.&quot; China and Pakistan jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace talks. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Middle East

Europe

Americas

The statement, submitted by Bahrain's UN representative, recognizes the GCC’s 'position and expertise' in promoting regional peace and security, and calls for deeper UN-GCC coordination on terrorism, maritime security, water and food security.

UNSC backs stronger cooperation with Gulf bloc in first-ever presidential statement

NEW YORK CITY: The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday debated Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Pakistan telling the 15-member body that an enduring situation lies in embracing diplomacy rather than abandoning it &ldquo;for short-sighted policies.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;It is clear that dialogue, diplomacy and constructive engagement remain the only viable way forward. And yet, diplomacy has been forfeited in favour of military means,&rdquo; Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations (UN), said during a discussions on the UN &lsquo;Committee 1737&rsquo;, which oversees international sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear and missile programs. &ldquo;The developments since last June as well as the ongoing situation that started with the unprovoked and unwarranted attacks on Iran have deeply impacted the context of Iran nuclear file,&rdquo; he said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2032313042986271046&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=c248310fe0919f799bba80033d73f620b941b880&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 841px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Regretting the breakdown of diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue, the Pakistani envoy said the validity of the fundamental principles and the multilateral spirit that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, remained intact as also the consensus adoption of resolution 2231 in 2015. (But President Donald Trump, during his first term announced in 2018 the withdrawal of the United States (US) from JCPOA, terming it a &ldquo;horrible,&rdquo; &ldquo;one-sided&rdquo; deal that failed to protect US national security interests.) &ldquo;More than ever, and even during the current conflict and heightened tensions, it is clear that an enduring solution lies in embracing those time-tested principles rather than abandoning them for short-sighted policies,&rdquo; Ambassador Asim Ahmad said. The JCPOA, he said, &nbsp;was a &ldquo;unique instrument &ldquo;, manifestation of an approach based on dialogue, diplomacy and pragmatism, highlighting that it was the outcome of painstaking and arduous, yet constructive negotiations that charted a roadmap to comprehensively address the concerns of the parties based on reciprocal actions and thus embodying peaceful resolution of disputes that is at the heart the UN Charter. &ldquo;Pakistan lent its support to the negotiated settlement of the issue, and it remains our core position till today&rdquo;, he added. &ldquo;We have condemned all use of force, targeting of civilian infrastructure, and strikes on nuclear sites under IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards&rdquo;, the Pakistani envoy said, pointing out that strikes against nuclear facilities carried huge environmental and safety risks for the local population and people all around the region.He warned against disrupting IAEA&rsquo;s crucial verification mandate, saying that the agency is responsible for verifying compliance with respective nuclear safeguards obligations of Member States in an objective, impartial and credible manner on technical grounds. &ldquo;The IAEA should be enabled to fulfill this statutory function and its verification activities in Iran should resume unimpeded,&rdquo; the Pakistani envoy said.Pakistan, he said, &nbsp;calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, and urged all parties to show maximum restraint, avoid further escalation, institute a permanent ceasefire, and resume dialogue. &ldquo;All our efforts aim in that direction&rdquo;, he said.

Pakistan told the UNSC that diplomacy, not military action, remains the only viable solution to Iran’s nuclear issue, urging restraint, ceasefire, renewed dialogue, and unimpeded IAEA verification activities.

As UNSC debates Iran nuclear program, Pakistan stresses diplomacy only way forward

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Thursday accused India of engaging in &ldquo;water terrorism&rdquo; and urged the international community to ensure adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during a Security Council briefing on &ldquo;Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security.&rdquo; Addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/disrupting-indus-waters-treaty-poses-immediate-humanitarian-security-risks-pakistan-at-un" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">water resources</a>, Ahmad said: &ldquo;This applies equally to water, the most critical of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indias-indus-treaty-abeyance-breaches-international-law-pakistan-tells-un" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">natural resources</a>.&rdquo; He added that &ldquo;shared water resources are indispensable for sustaining life, and for sustainable development and prosperity.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 721px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2029705649064640652&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=5c93a164c4385a40ae1731c435bc75a3afefd2f6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2029705649064640652"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;We reject the weaponization of water to choke this lifeline for lower riparians, also threatening regional peace, security and stability,&rdquo; he said. India&#39;s &#39;water terrorism&#39;&nbsp; Referring to India, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Pakistan itself is confronted with water terrorism by India that has resorted to unilateral and unlawful action of putting in abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty in violation of international law and the provisions of that Treaty.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;International community must impress upon India to return to full compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty, which remains valid and in-force as per the August 2025 award of the Court of Arbitration.&rdquo; Speaking at the session, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is essential for development, stability and prosperity.&rdquo; He added that the global shift toward renewable energy, electric mobility, battery storage, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and grid modernization has &ldquo;sharply increased the demand for critical minerals.&rdquo; &ldquo;This upsurge has generated new geopolitical and geo-economic pressures,&rdquo; he said, warning that &ldquo;if not managed responsibly, competition over natural resources can affect supply chains, aggravate tensions, undermine sovereignty, and contribute to instability.&rdquo; Highlighting risks in conflict-affected regions, Ahmad said: &ldquo;Experience shows that where mineral wealth intersects with weak governance, entrenched poverty and external interference, the risks of instability increase.&rdquo; He noted that &ldquo;illicit extraction, trafficking networks and opaque financial flows have fuelled armed conflict and violence, weakened state institutions and deprived populations of legitimate revenues.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;The scramble for natural resources and its linkage to conflict and instability is therefore not new.&rdquo; Ahmad added that Pakistan believes &ldquo;natural resources must serve as instruments of economic development and shared prosperity, and not coercion or conflict.&rdquo;

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Thursday accused India of engaging in 'water terrorism' and urged the international community to ensure adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during a Security Council briefing on 'Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security.'



Pakistan urges action on India for Indus Waters Treaty compliance

NEW YORK: First Lady Melania Trump presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, calling for cause of children affected by conflict as fighting continued in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Ambassadors from all of the Security Council&#39;s members, including Washington&#39;s rivals Russia and China, lined up to meet with Trump. Representing the United States as it assumed the monthly Security Council&rsquo;s rotating presidency.&nbsp; She opened the session with a ceremonial strike of the gavel, thanking the United Kingdom for its previous month-long presidency, and spoke again later apparently to honor US service members killed in the war on Iran. &ldquo;The US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours,&rdquo; she said, without directly referencing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.Later, she paid tribute to American service members killed in the war on Iran. &ldquo;To the families who have lost their heroes who sacrifice their lives for freedom, their bravery and dedication will always be remembered,&rdquo; she told the packed chamber. She added that &ldquo;enduring peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued within all our societies.&rdquo; Ambassadors from all 15 Council members, including rivals Russia and China, attended the meeting and greeted the First Lady. Greece&rsquo;s ambassador Aglaia Balta addressed her as &ldquo;Madam President,&rdquo; while France&rsquo;s envoy drew comparisons to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a noted human rights advocate. Even Russia offered polite praise, steering clear of direct mention of Iran. Bahrain, a close US ally, was the only Council member to explicitly reference the conflict. However, criticism emerged from Iran. Its UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, called it &ldquo;deeply shameful and hypocritical that on the very first day of its presidency of the Security Council, the United States convened a high-level meeting on protecting children.&quot;&nbsp; Moments later the First Lady said &quot;the US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours&quot; &nbsp;without referring directly to the attacks across the Middle East. She was warmly received by the countries represented in the Council however, with Greece&#39;s ambassador Aglaia Balta saying &quot;thank you madam president,&quot; while France&#39;s envoy compared her to the celebrated former first lady and activist Eleanor Roosevelt.&nbsp; Even Russia joined the chorus of polite praise, avoiding any mention of Iran, which was mentioned only by Council member and Washington&#39;s staunch ally Bahrain. &quot;I wish you all strength and resolve to succeed in preserving peace and security throughout the world,&quot; Trump said as she closed the two-hour meeting.&nbsp; &nbsp;Financial, political tensions&nbsp;Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, confirmed that Trump&#39;s appearance was the first time a first lady or first gentleman had presided a Security Council meeting. The United States holds the Council&#39;s rotating presidency for March. President Donald Trump&#39;s third wife has dabbled in diplomacy before, notably to try to secure the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.&nbsp; Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, paid tribute to her &quot;for her work to give visibility to the issue of children in conflict, and particularly for her personal engagement to reunite Ukrainian children with their families.&quot; Political and financial tensions have mounted between the United States and the United Nations in recent years, with Washington chafing at its role as the main contributor to the body&#39;s cash-strapped budget.&nbsp; Many observers say the US president intends to bypass the Security Council with his new &quot;Board of Peace,&quot; which held its inaugural session in Washington last month, with several countries pledging funds and personnel to rebuild Gaza. At the meeting, Trump repeated his stance that the UN had failed in its mission. Since returning to the White House last year, he has withdrawn support from several major UN agencies, including the World Health Organization. The world body has recently launched a reform program, and a few days ago Washington paid $160 million into the organization&#39;s regular budget after paying nothing in 2025.&nbsp; But the United States is still $4 billion in arrears to the UN for its regular budget and its peacekeeping budget, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of imminent financial collapse.&nbsp;

US First Lady Melania Trump chairs a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at UN Headquarters in New York on March 2, 2026.

Ambassadors from all of the Security Council's members, including Washington's rivals Russia and China, lined up to meet with Trump. Representing the United States as it assumed the monthly Security Council’s rotating presidency. 

Melania Trump leads UN Security Council as Iran war rages

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad addressed the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/un-security-council-to-hold-emergency-meeting-on-iran-after-usisrael-strikes" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Security Council</a> on Saturday, strongly condemning recent military attacks in the Middle East and urging an immediate return to diplomacy to prevent further destabilization. &ldquo;I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his sobering presentation and assessment of the unfolding situation in the Middle East,&rdquo; Ahmad said. &ldquo;We concur with his view that there is no viable alternative to a peaceful settlement.&rdquo; Highlighting the timing of the attacks, Ahmad criticized strikes against Iran as &ldquo;unwarranted&rdquo; and noted they occurred while <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iran-agreed-not-to-stockpile-enriched-uranium-mediator-oman" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">renewed diplomatic efforts </a>were underway. &ldquo;Such a course of action will undermine the peace and stability of the entire region with far-reaching consequences,&rdquo; he said. The ambassador also condemned retaliatory and concurrent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with these countries. He called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, warning that &ldquo;these unprovoked attacks&hellip;constitute blatant violations of the sovereignty of the brotherly Gulf states.&rdquo; Addressing civilian casualties, Ahmad expressed condolences, including for a Pakistani national killed in the UAE, and lamented the loss of schoolchildren in Iran and other civilians affected by the violence. &ldquo;We urge all sides to refrain from any further actions that may undermine the security and territorial integrity of other regional countries,&rdquo; he said. He praised Oman for its efforts in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, noting that the recent strikes &ldquo;derailed diplomacy&rdquo; and further eroded trust at a critical moment. Citing the UN Charter, Ahmad stressed the inviolability of international law. &ldquo;The Charter prohibits threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states. Pakistan reiterates the call for full respect for international law, including the UN Charter, as well as international humanitarian law,&rdquo; he said. Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy concluded by expressing alarm over the risk of a broader regional conflict and emphasizing the protection of millions of civilians. &ldquo;The safety and well-being of our compatriots in the region remains a top priority,&rdquo; Ahmad said.

Ahmad criticized strikes against Iran as 'unwarranted' and noted they occurred while renewed diplomatic efforts were underway. 

At UNSC, Pakistan condemns regional attacks, calls for diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, expressed cautious optimism during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria on Friday regarding recent developments, while underscoring the complexity of the challenges facing the country. Ambassador Iftikhar welcomed the 30 January agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), voicing hope that its faithful implementation would bring stability and strengthen Syria&rsquo;s unity and territorial integrity.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 767px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022517880252772697&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1dfd8a62c6207cbc21c0529808556923ad9aba06&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2022517880252772697">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>He noted that over the past 14 months, notable steps have been taken to advance Syria&rsquo;s political transition.&nbsp; Although gradual and intricate, these measures reflect movement toward stabilization after years of conflict. He emphasized the importance of continuing this trajectory in a steady and inclusive manner, anchored in national ownership, reinforcing state institutions, consolidating security and creating conditions conducive to durable peace.&nbsp;&nbsp;Constructive steps&nbsp;In this context, Ambassador Iftikhar also appreciated recent state initiatives, including the 16 January presidential decree concerning the rights of the Kurdish community, describing them as constructive steps toward national cohesion. At the same time, Ambassador Iftikhar stressed that significant challenges persist.&nbsp; He warned that the threat of terrorism remains acute, citing the continued presence and activities of terrorist groups, including foreign terrorist fighters, especially ETIM, as serious risks to Syria&rsquo;s stability and regional security.&nbsp; He called for these elements to be addressed in a coordinated and effective manner, consistent with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.&nbsp; Counter-terrorism efforts, he said, must remain precise and focused, without conflating state institutions with non-state actors, and detention facilities holding terrorists must be managed and transitioned responsibly to prevent instability or spillover.&nbsp;Humanitarian situation&nbsp;He also highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, with millions of Syrians in need of sustained assistance as infrastructure, basic services, and livelihoods remain under severe strain.&nbsp; Ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, alongside enhanced early recovery support, he said, is essential to alleviate suffering and restore dignity.&nbsp; With the lifting of sanctions, he noted, there is an opportunity to gradually shift toward revitalizing economic and commercial activity to enable meaningful recovery. Ambassador Iftikhar strongly condemned violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and other destabilizing actions by Israel, calling them unacceptable.&nbsp; He stressed the need for full respect for existing agreements and for Syria&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the Council to ensure Israel&rsquo;s full withdrawal from occupied Syrian territory in compliance with its resolutions. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s solidarity with the Government and people of Syria, he said the country would continue to engage constructively in support of a stable, unified, and sovereign Syria.&nbsp;

Ambassador Iftikhar welcomes the 30 January agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), voicing hope that its faithful implementation will bring stability and strengthen Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. 

Pakistan welcomes Syria-SDF Agreement, urges inclusive political transition

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council on Friday condemned in the &ldquo;strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing terrorist attack&quot; at a mosque in Pakistan&rsquo;s capital last week.&nbsp; A suicide bombing outside a mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan&rsquo;s capital martyred numerous people and injured more than 100 during Friday prayers, the Islamabad city administration said, in the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a decade.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 767px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2022348854230725102&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=c0c361a4d520cc4c142b728ec6d5437ab625901d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2022348854230725102"></iframe></div></div>While condemning the reprehensible act, the Security Council said that the terrorism resulted in the &ldquo;grievous loss of at least 32 Pakistani nationals and 92 injured.&rdquo; The council expressed their &ldquo;deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to Pakistani society, wishing a &ldquo;speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.&rdquo; The council members also reaffirmed &ldquo;that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.&rdquo; They called for holding the &ldquo;perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,&rdquo; urging all states to cooperate actively with the Pakistan government. The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever, and by whomsoever committed,&rdquo; the statement issued on Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad&rsquo;s X account said. The members &ldquo;reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.&rdquo;

Security

While condemning the reprehensible act, UNSC says terrorism resulted in the “grievous loss of at least 32 Pakistani nationals and 92 injured”; council members also reaffirm “that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

Articles tagged with "UNSC"