PRESS BRIEFING BY BRENDEN VARMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT VOLKAN BOZKIR

United Nations Headquarters, New York

27 May 2021

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PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PAKISTANI LEADERSHIP IN ISLAMABAD, COMMENDS PAKISTAN¡¯S CONTRIBUTIONS TO U.N. PEACEKEEPING

  • The President is currently in Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Today, as part of his official visit there, he was . During their meeting, the President thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan¡¯s substantial contributions to the work of the 75th session, its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, its leadership on climate change and the dedication of its Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ peacekeeping personnel.
  • The President also . During that meeting, the President thanked the Foreign Minister for his recent participation in the General Assembly¡¯s meeting on the question of Palestine and applauded Pakistan¡¯s able leadership of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ¡¯s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). They also discussed issues on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and General Assembly agendas and regional developments.
  • Additional topics of discussion in both bilateral meetings included Palestine, Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, COVID-19 vaccines, and Security Council reform.
  • President Bozk?r was also received by H.E. Mr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, who hosted an official dinner in his honour. There, President Bozk?r received the ¡°Hilal-e-Pakistan¡± award on behalf of the United Nations.
  • While in Islamabad, the President delivered a wide-ranging speech at the National Defence University.
  • He said, ¡°The multilateral system has suffered a great trauma as a result of this pandemic. Business as usual will not put us on the road to recovery. Now is the time for the defibrillator. We need to shock the system.¡±
  • He also commended the professionalism and dedication of the 4,732 Pakistani men and women currently serving in nine Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ peacekeeping operations around the world, noting that they were ¡°putting their lives at risk to secure a better future for the most vulnerable people on this earth.¡±
  • In conclusion, he said, ¡°The future of multilateralism lies in an agile, effective and responsive General Assembly, that is underpinned by political will, to uphold the rights of everyone, everywhere.¡±
  • President?Bozk?r?also , led by Resident Coordinator Julien Harneis. He was briefed on the work that the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is doing on the ground to support the people and Government of Pakistan.
  • The President will depart Pakistan early tomorrow morning and be back in the office on Tuesday.
  • Asked for more information on what the President had said in Islamabad about Afghanistan, the Spokesperson referred the journalist to the President¡¯s speech, in which he had spoken about the importance of peace in Afghanistan.

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HIGH-LEVEL OCEAN MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK

  • Looking ahead to next week, the President will convene a?High-Level Thematic Debate on the Ocean on Tuesday, 1 June.
  • This event aims to refocus the global narrative around environmental concerns, which have been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is being supported by the Governments of Portugal and Kenya, as well as the Secretary-General¡¯s Special Envoy for the Ocean, Peter Thomson.
  • In-person speakers will include the President, Portugal¡¯s Minister of the Sea and Peter Thomson.
  • There will also be video messages from Kenya¡¯s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, actress Maggie Q, and actor and musician Cody Simpson.