Pakistan flag Installed at UNSC, Pakistan Assumes Non-Permanent Membership for the Eighth Time

The Pakistani flag was installed at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) chamber on Thursday as Pakistan officially commenced its eighth term as a non-permanent member of the 15-member body for the 2025-26 period.

During the ceremony, the flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members—Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia—were installed alongside those of the current members. These new members replace Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms concluded on December 31, 2024.

Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, led the flag installation ceremony, marking the country’s renewed role in the UNSC. In his address, Ambassador Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, particularly in maintaining international peace, security, and promoting friendly relations among nations.

“Pakistan will continue to be a strong voice for peoples under foreign occupation and oppression, advocating for their right to self-determination,” he said. He also highlighted Pakistan’s belief in cooperative multilateralism, with the UN at its core, to address global challenges.

Ambassador Ahmad stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of conflicts, prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, and fostering confidence-building measures at both regional and global levels. He underscored the need for tackling long-standing and emerging conflicts, promoting peace, stability, and development.

“We will actively work with fellow members to pursue just and peaceful solutions and make optimal use of the tools available to the Security Council, from conflict prevention to peacekeeping and peacebuilding,” he added.

Pakistan is set to preside over the UNSC in July, in accordance with the alphabetical rotation of member states, allowing it to set the Council’s agenda for the month. Additionally, Pakistan will take a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is responsible for designating individuals and groups as terrorists and imposing sanctions.

The UNSC is the UN’s most powerful body, tasked with maintaining international peace and security. It has the authority to make legally binding decisions, impose sanctions, and authorize the use of force.

Kazakhstan, which introduced the flag installation tradition in 2018, presided over the ceremony. Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative, Kairat Umarov, expressed confidence that the new members would bring valuable insights and focus to the global issues facing the UNSC. He also acknowledged the many challenges, including ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and climate change, which the Council will need to address in the coming year.