Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in a meeting of “select” Muslim leaders with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, the Foreign Office announced on Sunday.
In its statement, the Foreign Office said the prime minister would lead Pakistan’s delegation at the UNGA session, commencing on Sept. 22, and would be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other ministers and state officials.
In his address, scheduled for Sept. 26, the prime minister would urge the international community to resolve the prolonged occupations of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. “He will, in particular, draw the attention of the international community towards the grave crisis in Gaza, and call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinians,” read the statement.
It said the premier would further highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the regional security situation, as well as other issues of international concern, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development.
According to the statement, Sharif would attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA session, including meetings of the U.N. Security Council, a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative, a special event on climate action. “The prime minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with U.S. President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” it added. Media reports suggest Trump would meet the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Egypt.
On bilateral meetings, the Foreign Office said the prime minister would engage with several world leaders and senior U.N. officials to exchange views on matters of mutual interest. “He will also underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all U.N. member states to uphold the U.N. charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council,” it said.
“The prime minister’s participation in this biggest annual gathering of global leaders will showcase Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations and to highlight Pakistan’s longstanding contribution towards the shared objectives of peace and development,” it added.