Remarks by President General Assembly H.E Dennis Francis on the commemorative reception by Pakistan Mission to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ on Pakistan National Day?
23rd March 2024
As Delivered?
Your Excellency, Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
Members of Pakistani Diaspora,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ramadan Mubarak and Yaum-e-Pakistan Mubarak (Pakistan Day) to each of you.
I should like to thank you for inviting me to join in you on this joyous occasion.?
Today, Pakistan commemorates two milestones in its historical journey ¨C one being the adoption of the Lahore Resolution, which called for the creation of an independent sovereign state on 23 March 1940; and the other being adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956, which made Pakistan the world¡¯s first Islamic republic.?
From the sacrifices made by the nation’s founders to the strides it has recorded in multiple spheres ¨C Pakistan’s journey has been punctuated by remarkable achievements and an unwavering spirit expressed in the resilience of its people .
As a founding member of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, 14 times ECOSOC member and 7 times Security Council non-permanent member, Pakistan has remained an ardent champion of multilateralism ¨C committed to the principles and values of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Charter.?
As the largest contributor of police and troop personnel to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ for decades ¨C and with over 137 Pakistani peacekeepers having lost their lives in the line of duty ¨C Pakistan¡¯s unwavering dedication to maintaining peace globally is clear and immensely appreciated.?
One of Pakistan¡¯s great diplomats ¨C Muhammad Zafarullah Khan ¨C served as the President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly at its 17th session and later as a member of the International Court of Justice.
Most recently, during the Covid 19 Pandemic ¨C when the international community faced the so-called ¡°perfect storm¡± of economic and development challenges ¨C Pakistan¡¯s ECOSOC presidency in 2021, under?His Excellency Ambassador Munir Akram, successfully achieved a consensus on debt relief and restructuring, larger concessional assistance, and the creation of new Special Drawing Rights (fund allocation).
I take this opportunity to applaud Pakistan¡¯s consistent work ¨C working alongside the membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) ¨C to elevate the concern about Islamophobia.?
Consequently, since 2022, March 15th has been recognized as the International day to combat Islamophobia.
We must rally for dialogue, tolerance, respect, understanding, harmony and compassion for all others ¨C always ¨C and all together.
Excellencies,
Rising up 28,000 feet from the shores of the Arabian Sea to the summit of K2, Pakistan has the greatest change of elevation on Earth, and a range of landscapes to match.
As the first country to exceed its Bonn Challenge targets for 2013, Pakistan has achieved many milestones as a climate-friendly nation with a holistic approach to environmental sustainability.
Pakistan is also one of 128 countries with a single-use plastic bag ban in place and the fifth country to adopt policies designed to eradicate plastic waste pollution in 2019.?
In 2020, it tripled mangrove forest growth ¨C building on 30-years of sustained mangrove expansion.
But, with climate change being arguably our most formidable foe, the people of Pakistan have remained the victims of a grim calculus of climate injustice.
Each passing year, the Himalayan melts have worsened flooding in Pakistan.
Each time, Pakistan has demonstrated its resilience and extraordinary potential to cope with such disasters and contribute to the goal of sustainability.?
And I am encouraged to note that the General Assembly has stepped up to provide support to Pakistan when needed ¨C including last September, when I convened the Assembly for a briefing in solidarity with and support for the Government and people of Pakistan in accordance with General Assembly resolution 77/1.
I very much look forward to a continued partnership with Pakistan throughout the remainder of the 78th session ¨C including on the upcoming ¡®Sustainability Week¡¯ in April and the successful convening of the Summit of the Future in September.?
Let me close by saying that as we gather here ¨C and are set to break the fast together during this holy month of Ramadan ¨C I am delighted to share this blessed moment with all Muslim brothers and sisters, in a true spirit of goodwill.?
Let us cherish these precious moments of togetherness ¨C and strive to spread compassion and peace in our communities and beyond.?
Ramadan Mubarak! I thank you.
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