Pakistan elected non-permanent member of UNSC for 8th time

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday secured 182 votes to become one of the non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Besides Pakistan, the UN General Assembly also elected Somalia, Panama, Greece and Denmark as non-permanent members for the next two-year term. The elected countries will serve from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

This would be Pakistan’s 8th term to serve the Council. Previously, it has served in the years 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69 and 1952-53. The UNSC consists of 15 countries, including five permanent members that include China, France, Russia, the UK and the US.

The 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly with representation from all 193 member states based on regional geographical distribution. Two seats are allocated to the African Group, one to the Asia-Pacific Group, one to the Latin American and Caribbean Group and one to the Eastern European Group. Pakistan and India normally support each other’s candidacies representing the Asia-Pacific Group.

Pakistan aims to focus on promoting peace and security in the region, uphold the principle of self-determination for the people of Palestine and Kashmir, support normalisation in Afghanistan, promote equitable solutions to security challenges in Africa, and enhance the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it a proud moment for the country, saying that the “election to the Council with such overwhelming support of UN member states at this critical time bears testament to the international community’s confidence in Pakistan’s diplomatic standing as well as to our commitment to global peace and security”. He added that Pakistan looks forward to working with the international community to address pressing global challenges. “We will continue to play our role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation among nations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also congratulated the nation. In a post on X, he said that Pakistan looks forward to upholding its commitment to the UN Charter’s vision of preventing war and promoting peace, fostering global prosperity and promoting universal respect for human rights.

“We remain determined to contributing effectively towards the maintenance of international peace & security in line with UNSC’s mandate,” he said, commending the Foreign Office and Pakistani missions’ efforts.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office in Islamabad said after the election: “In its upcoming term, Pakistan will remain committed to pursuing just and peaceful resolution of outstanding and ongoing disputes; opposing the resort to unilateral and illegal use or threat of use of force; combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; supporting effective UN peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peacebuilding efforts and contributing effectively towards the resolution of regional and global crises.”

The FO said it was grateful to all members of the UN General Assembly for their confidence in Pakistan and electing it as a non-permanent member of the UNSC. “We are also grateful to the members of the Asia-Pacific Group for endorsing Pakistan’s candidature for the Council.”

“Elected for the eighth time as a non-permanent member, Pakistan brings to the UN Security Council a rich experience and a strong legacy of contributions towards the maintenance of international peace and security, manifested by its strict adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as its UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding endeavours across many regions of the world,” it added.

In future Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the other UNSC members and with the broader UN membership for upholding the UN Charter and pursuing the vision of preventing war and promoting peace, fostering global prosperity and promoting universal respect for human rights.