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Mr. President,
This statement on behalf of the Pakistani delegation is being made on
cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC), and United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization
(ECO). I shall also take this opportunity to speak on the future cooperation
between the United Nations and the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan has the privilege of being the founder member of
all the three organizations.
2. The Organization of Islamic Conference is one of the largest
intergovernmental organization. Its 54 members and 6 observer states come from
Asia, Africa and Europe. As the collective voice of the Muslim world, the OIC
has been engaged over the years in a constructive and cooperative relationship
with the United Nations, reinforcing common efforts in pursuit of peace and
development.
3. The OIC has endeavored to promote a better understanding and dialogue between
and among different civilizations and cultures. It has taken significant
measures in fostering peace, in promoting social and economic development, in
combating ethnic or racial intolerance, and in seeking an end to the causes of
injustice and instability, which are a constant threat to world peace and
security.
4. In the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11, the Islamic world under the
auspices of OIC, joined the international community in our common fight against
international terrorism. The OIC has been emphatic in its condemnation of
terrorism. It has adopted a Convention to deal with this scourge. The Convention
provides a comprehensive framework for dealing with this problem while upholding
the UN Charter’s cardinal principle of self-determination and acknowledges the
legitimacy of freedom struggles against foreign occupation and alien domination.
Mr. President,
5. We are pleased to refer to the report of the Secretary General A/59/303 which
recapitulates the progress achieved during the past year by the United Nations
system and the OIC in promoting their shared goals of international peace and
security and development. We welcome the effective contacts and consultations
that the two organizations have maintained over the past several years.
6. The two organizations have regularly interacted over a number of political
issues and their mutually supportive role and determination to promote
negotiations to resolve these conflicts continue to receive wide international
support. Representatives of the UN attended the tenth session of the OIC Summit
in Malaysia in 2003 and the ICFMs held in Tehran and Istanbul in 2003 and 2004
respectively. We would like to see the two organizations work more closely in
addressing and resolving some of the conflicts in the Muslim world including
Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir. More work needs to be done by all
concerned to address the root causes of these conflicts and promote justice and
peace.
7. We are of the view that the two sides should continue to examine ways and
means of further expanding and diversifying their cooperation by identifying new
areas. We welcome the meeting held in Vienna in July 2004 which identified
several proposals for joint projects between the UN and OIC. Cooperation between
the two organizations has taken place on numerous occasions in the past and we
would like to encourage the regularization of this trend with at least one
general meeting of representatives of the Secretariat of the UN System and the
OIC each year. This formal interaction would further enhance cooperation between
the two organizations.
8. Pakistan has the proud privilege of chairing one of the two main Committees
of OIC, namely the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological
Cooperation (COMSTECH). The Pakistan based Committee is responsible for
promoting cooperation in the fields of science and technology amongst the Muslim
countries. Pakistan is also host to the Islamic Chambers of Commerce and
Industry.
Mr. President,
9. The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is another major regional
cooperation organization seeking to promote socio-economic development of its
member states on the basis of their common needs and in keeping with the
challenges taking place on the global economic scene. The Organization was
founded by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey as the successor organization of the
Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD). In 1992, it was expanded to include
Afghanistan and the newly established Central Asian States of Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as Azerbaijan.
10. ECO has played an important role in strengthening and promoting
multi-dimensional regional economic cooperation amongst its member countries. It
has identified four priority areas for intense regional cooperation namely;
trade, transport, communications, and energy. The project-oriented Almaty
Outline Plan underscores the importance that ECO member states attach to the
development of transport and communications infrastructure linking the ECO
Member states with each other and with the outside world. The conclusion of two
important agreements namely; the ECO Transit Trade Agreement and Transit
Transport Framework Agreement has given further impetus to the expansion of
regional trade and economic cooperation.
Mr. President,
11. The ECO region covers a territory of more than seven million square
kilometers and includes a population of nearly 350 million people. The region
has immense natural resources and its members have the political will to tap
these resources for mutual advantage of all. The Presidential elections, held in
Afghanistan have been an important landmark in the peace process and augur well
for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Peace and stability in Afghanistan needs
to be bolstered with socio-economic development and integrating the Afghan
economy with that of its neighbours. The Economic Cooperation Organization can
serve not only as a vehicle for the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan but
also for developing and integrating the economies of the region which have borne
the brunt of the conflict in Afghanistan.
12. ECO already has in place the blue prints for the region-wide development of
transport and communications infrastructure, facilities of trade and investment,
banking and insurance, culture and education and effective use of the region’s
vast energy resources. We expect the United Nations system and the international
community to support the efforts of the ECO and its member states in order to
realize these blue prints not only for the benefit of the region, but also for
the world at large.
Mr. President,
13. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) representing
the seven countries of South Asia, i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka was launched at the first-ever Summit meeting of
the South Asian Heads of State or Government in Dhaka in December 1985.
14. SAARC seeks to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to
improve their quality of life by accelerating economic growth, social progress
and cultural development in the region. SAARC also aims at strengthening
cooperation with other developing countries and with international and regional
organisations with similar aims and objectives.
15. The highest authority of the Association rests with the SAARC Heads of State
or Government who meet annually at the Summit level. To date, twelve Summits
have been held. The 12th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad in January 2004 raised
hopes and opened up new avenues for regional cooperation amongst the South Asian
countries. SAARC member states are developing modalities for dialogue
partnerships with other regions. SAARC countries have also decided to seek the
Observer Status with the United Nations.
16. To conclude, Mr. President, I would like to express our hope and confidence
that the cooperation of the United Nations with both the OIC and the ECO will
continue to flourish to the mutual benefit of the two organizations. We also
hope that a new chapter will soon begin in cooperation between the United
Nations and SAARC. Pakistan as a proud member of the United Nations, the OIC,
the ECO and SAARC, would remain actively involved in the work of all four.
I thank you, Mr. President.