ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday Pakistan would work closely with United Nations member states as the country started its two-year term on the UN Security Council with a pledge to strive for an end to global conflicts and mitigate the impact of great power rivalries.
This marks the eighth time Pakistan has taken a seat as a non-permanent member of the UNSC since joining the world body in 1947.
The 15-member council includes five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France — and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
Non-permanent members play a crucial role by contributing to discussions on global peace and security, as well as influencing the drafting of resolutions.
“Pakistan has proudly assumed its seat at the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025-26,” Sharif said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We remain fully committed to the UN Charter and its principles,” he continued. “During its term, Pakistan looks forward to playing a constructive role at the UNSC and working closely with other members of the Security Council to contribute to global peace and security.”
A formal flag-raising ceremony will be held at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to welcome the incoming members of the Council. Pakistan replaces Japan on the Asian seat, joining Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia as new non-permanent members for the 2025-26 term.
Speaking a day earlier, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, highlighted the country’s commitment to addressing global challenges.
“As a responsible state — the fifth largest by population — Pakistan will play an active and constructive role, in accordance with the UN Charter, to halt wars, promote the pacific settlement of disputes and contain the negative impacts of great power rivalries, the arms race, new weapons and domains of conflict as well as the spreading scourge of terrorism,” he said.
The federal cabinet also hailed Pakistan’s assumption of the UNSC seat, calling it a diplomatic success and an opportunity to enhance the country’s contributions to international peace and security.
Pakistan’s term as a non-permanent member comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing challenges, including regional conflicts and global economic instability.
Sharif’s government has pledged to use its position to advocate for peaceful dispute resolution and the principles of the UN Charter.
