Your Excellency, Mr. Yoweri Museveni,

President of the Republic of Uganda,

Honorable Heads of Member and Observer States,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan congratulates Uganda on assuming the leadership of our Movement.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Uganda for the warm welcome and excellent arrangements made for this Conference.

We also extend our deep appreciation to Azerbaijan, the outgoing Chair for their superb stewardship of the NAM over the last 4 years.

Mr. Chairman,

This NAM Summit is taking place at a pivotal moment in modern history.

Conflicts are raging in numerous places around the world, including in Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific,and South Asia. Tensions between the major powers continue to escalate.

There is a resurgence of political blocs and military alliances. Military expenditures have surpassed those of the Cold War era and the nuclear danger has spiked.Outer space, cyber technologies and Artificial Intelligence are being weaponized.

Global economic prospects also appear gloomy. The gulf between the rich and poor is growing.

Mr. Chairman,

The current multi-dimensional global challenges can only be overcome through effective international collaboration.

The role of the NAM has, therefore, once again become critical in promoting global cooperation for peace and prosperity.

Our endeavour at this Summit ought to be to respond to its theme:  ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’ with enhanced cooperation.

We must come together and push for the implementation of our shared commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate goals. 

We must also press for urgent actions required to reform the systems of finance, trade, and technology to ensure balanced and sustained socio-economic growth, particularly in the developing countries.

Mr. Chairman,

Pakistan deeply values the fundamental ideals of the Movement, especially its principled support for the right of peoples to self-determination under foreign occupation. It is tragic that the people of Palestine and occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to be denied their inalienable right to self-determination for over seven decades.

Pakistan strongly and unequivocally condemns the indiscriminate use of force by Israel and its attacks on Palestinian civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure, blockading of water, food and fuel, as well as the forced displacement of people within the occupied territory. These are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and may amount to the crime of genocide.

Pakistan calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, adequate humanitarian relief to the besieged Palestinians and Israel’s accountability for the crimes committed against innocent civilians.

Durable peace will only be possible once an independent viable and contiguous State of Palestine is established on the basis of the pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds al Sharif as its capital.

Mr. Chairman,

Similarly, the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue to suffer the worst form of human rights violations - which have only increased since the illegal actions of 5 August 2019.

Pakistan calls upon the NAM and the international community to secure an early resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Mr. Chairman,

Peace in Afghanistan is a strategic imperative for Pakistan. Preventing and countering terrorism from Afghanistan is our first priority. We also support continued humanitarian assistance to the 29 million destitute people in Afghanistan and concrete measures to revive the Afghan economy.

Mr. Chairman,

Pakistan has been at the fore front of the international fight against terrorism. We have sacrificed 80,000 lives in this fight and suffered hundreds of billions in economic losses. We will not allow terrorism to rear its ugly head again in our country.

Terrorism must be countered comprehensively and without discrimination, including the rising threat posed by right-wing extremist, fascist and Islamophobic groups. We also need to oppose “state terrorism”; address the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, injustice and foreign occupation; and distinguish terrorism from genuine liberation struggles for self-determination and national liberation.

Mr. Chairman,

Inclusive multilateral processes, within the framework of the United Nations, offer the most promising prospect for promoting peace and security as well as economic and social development. It is vital to empower and optimally utilize all the main organs of the UN.

The UN General Assembly – the most universal global forum – must play the central role as the world’s apex body in guiding and coordinating the work of all multilateral institutions and agencies.

The Security Council should, no doubt, become more representative, democratic, accountable, transparent, and efficient. However, adding new “permanent members” would not only create new centers of privilege, and violate the principle of sovereign equality, but also reduce the opportunities for the vast majority of UN member States to serve on the Security Council.

Pakistan believes that to build and preserve peace and promote prosperity, it is essential to ensure the following:

One, full and consistent respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions, and international law, especially non-use of force and the pacific settlement of disputes.

Two, elimination of the root causes of conflicts.

Three, implementation of the assurance in the UN Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-I) Declaration that: “every state has an equal right to security”.

Four, respect for the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity and of the right of peoples to self-determination.

Five, effective utilization of the UN’s potential to underwrite peace in a complex and multi-polar world.

Mr. Chairman,

In conclusion, I reaffirm Pakistan’s firm commitment to the Nonaligned Movement and its founding principles. We will continue to support the Movement’s efforts towards peace, equality, cooperation and well being for all.

I thank you.

*****