Pakistan wraps up UNSC presidency for July after helping refocus attention on Gaza, Middle East
Pakistan assumed the UNSC presidency at a time of a spiraling hunger crisis in Gaza due to Israel's blockade of the territory, which did not allow any humanitarian aid to get through to war-torn Palestinian people, as well as Tel Aviv's military actions elsewhere in the Middle East.
The South Asian country hosted an open debate at the Council and called for an immediate ceasefire and deliver of relief items to Gaza. It also backed an 'inclusive' political process to stabilize a Syria rocked by clashes between the Druze minority and Bedouin clans that killed over 250 people.
Speaking at the wrap-up session, Pakistan's envoy, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, expressed his deep appreciation to all UNSC members for their cooperation, collegiality and active engagement throughout his country's presidency last month.
'Pakistan approached its presidency with a sense of humility, deep commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and focus on Council's core mandate for maintaining international peace and security,' he was quoted as saying by Pakistan's UN mission.
'Constructive spirit and support by the Council members went a long way in ensuring that our work remained focused, effective and inclusive.'
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar pushed for 'universal recognition' of the state of Palestine and its full membership at the UN at a high-level UN conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, which was co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.
During its presidency, the UNSC adopted five resolutions that covered dispute resolution, Red Sea reporting, Yemen, Haiti, Central African Republic (CAR) sanctions, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elections, according to the Pakistani UN mission.
The country also hosted a briefing on UN–OIC cooperation, a meeting on adapting peace operations in light of major UN reviews.
Ambassador Ahmed congratulated Panama on assumption of the presidency for the month of August and assured it of Pakistan's full support, the Pakistani mission said.
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