Foreign Secretary Speaks at the UN Alliance of Civilizations’ Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting in New York

Foreign Secretary Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who is visiting New York for the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, represented Pakistan in the Group of Friends Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations held at the UN Headquarters in New York on 26 September,2014. The meeting was chaired by UN Secretary General’s High Representative for the Alliance, Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar and addressed by high level representatives including Foreign Minister of Spain, Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and the President of 69th UNGA. The theme of this year’s meeting was “New and Emerging Ideological Threats to Global Peace and Co-Existence”.

Addressing the meeting, the Foreign Secretary highlighted Pakistan’s role and contribution to international efforts for global peace and dialogue, including its annual resolution on “promotion of Inter-religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace”, which is adopted each year by consensus among member states. He informed the participants that Pakistan had established a Ministry of National Harmony to promote interfaith dialogue and harmony in the country. Inter-faith harmony committees had been established in all districts of the country where representatives of all faiths and religions interact.

Appreciating UNAOC’s initiatives on protecting religious freedoms, fostering media pluralism and gearing education and youth towards strengthening intercultural links, the Foreign Secretary assured of Pakistan’s continued support to the work of Alliance to help achieve the cause of global peace and prosperity.

Islamabad
26 September 2014

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