United Nations: Pakistan will hold an open debate on counter-terrorism during its Presidency of the UN Security Council here next month, with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar leading the discussion on ways to pursue a comprehensive approach to deal with terrorism.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Masood Khan met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday and informed him of the Council’s tentative agenda during Pakistan’s presidency.
A non-permanent member of the Council, Pakistan joined the 15-nation UN body for a two year term in January this year and would assume the month-long rotating presidency from January 1, 2013.
Khan informed the Secretary General that Pakistan planned to hold open debates on ‘Counter-terrorism – a comprehensive approach’ as well as on ‘UN- peacekeeping: a multi-dimensional approach’.
Khar would preside over the debate on counter-terrorism, scheduled for January 15.
India would cease to be a non-permanent member of the Security Council next year as its two-year term ends on December 31.
Khan said both counter-terrorism and peacekeeping are among UN’s top priorities and are foremost in the work of the Security Council, a statement issued by the Pakistani mission said.
He said the debates would provide an opportunity to discuss ways to pursue a comprehensive approach towards counter-terrorism while a discussion on the multi-dimensional aspects of peacekeeping would help reinforce the inter-linkages between peacekeeping and peace-building. An exhibition on ‘Peacekeeping – Pakistan for Peace’ is also planned for January 21. (PTI)
