|
|
Madam President,
On behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to thank the Foreign Minister of Nigeria, Mr. Aminu Bashir Wali, for presiding over this important session of the Security Council. I also wish to thank the Secretary General for his comprehensive briefing.
We meet at a time of unprecedented and complex global and regional challenges. Parts of the Middle East are in flames, afflicted by multiple inter and intra state conflicts, the spread of terrorism, external intervention and power struggles, and massive human dislocation and suffering. Confrontation between the major powers has returned to Europe and threatens to encompass Asia. Poverty stalks Africa and persists in South Asia.
Global threats to peace and world order are also multiplying from diverse sources: climate change, poverty, unemployment, especially among youth, water scarcity, record number of refugees and forced migrants, and the gross violations of human rights.
Yet, Madam President, this is also a time of opportunity. Today, an interconnected and interdependent world possesses the financial, scientific and organizational capabilities to address these imposing and myriad challenges. What is needed is political will, especially among key global and regional powers, to utilize these capabilities effectively and cooperatively, and rise above their own narrow interests and competing agendas.
Madam President,
Regional organizations can contribute to addressing many of these challenges, especially their economic and social dimensions. They can also promote greater and closer political consultations that are essential to addressing the security dimensions of these challenges.
In the realm of security, the role of regional organizations and mechanisms has been recognized as well as circumscribed in Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. Regional organizations and groupings can serve effectively to promote mediation, arbitration and other peaceful means of conflict resolution. But, in this sphere, the UN, and especially the Security Council, has absolute primacy. Any enforcement action, and any use of coercive means, to implement international decisions, can be authorized only by the Security Council.
Madam President,
Each regional organization is unique and different – in its historical origins, mandate, membership, evolution and capabilities. Some have proved their worth and made valuable contributions – the European Union, African Union, Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) being among them.
Others, like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), have much potential but have yet to fulfill that promise. SAARC has been constrained because of the deep differences among its members and attempts to utilize it for regional domination.
Some regional organizations have great and untapped potential. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is one of them. This relatively new grouping can advance the goals of economic development, stability and security across the broad swath of Euro-Asia.
Madam President,
Among these organizations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference has a unique position. It includes 57 UN Member States, almost a third of the Membership. It spans four Continents. Its members are involved – directly or indirectly – in the numerous security challenges, which bedevil the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
Collectively, and in cooperation with the UN, it has the capabilities to address and overcome these challenges – including Palestine and other Middle East conflicts as well as the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The OIC can also contribute to the promotion of global peace and prosperity.
The UN should actively promote cooperation with the OIC in areas such as: mediation and conciliation of disputes; peacekeeping and peace building; humanitarian assistance, especially to refugees and displaced people; and in addressing the root causes of conflicts and extremism.
Madam President,
Cooperation between regional organizations can also be very useful. For instance, in the context of the current challenges in West Asia, cooperation and consultation could be most useful between the SCO and the GCC. Equally, regular consultations between the GCC and key countries in West Asia may be timely, among other things to deal with the shared threat from violent extremists and to devise common strategies on related issues.
Madam President,
The Pakistan delegation looks forward to the concrete follow-up what we hope will emerge from this important deliberation of the Security Council.
I thank you, Madam President.