Pakistan Begin today Two-Year Term as Non-Permanent Member of UN Security Council

Pakistan will officially begin its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, with Ambassador Munir Akram promising an “active and constructive” role in addressing global challenges.

This marks Pakistan’s eighth term on the 15-member Council, reinforcing its longstanding engagement with international diplomacy. Pakistan was elected in June with an overwhelming 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly, far surpassing the two-thirds majority of 124 votes required.

“We enter the Council at a time of great geopolitical turbulence, including wars in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, alongside escalating arms races and intensified competition between major powers,” Ambassador Akram said.

As a responsible state and the fifth-largest by population, Pakistan is committed to:

• Halting wars.
• Promoting peaceful dispute resolution.
• Addressing global challenges such as arms races, emerging weapons, and terrorism.

Regional Focus

Ambassador Akram also highlighted Pakistan’s priority to address threats in South Asia, including:

• Cross-border terrorism.
• Suppression of Kashmiri self-determination.
• Arms imbalances in the region.
• Discriminatory restraints impacting Pakistan’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

“Pakistan has a professional and well-trained team at the UN capable of addressing these challenges effectively. Our presence will undoubtedly be felt in the Security Council,” Akram affirmed.

Pakistan assumes the Asian seat currently held by Japan, joining the Council alongside newly elected members Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia. These nations replace Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms end December 31, 2024.

The Security Council comprises five permanent members (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France) and ten non-permanent members. Pakistan will work with the five elected last year — Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.

Pakistan’s record as a non-permanent member is distinguished by contributions to peacekeeping missions and initiatives to strengthen international peace and security over the past five decades.