NEW YORK: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar graced
the 78th opening session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New
York on Tuesday.
UN Secretary General António Guterres inaugurated the session, subsequently addressed by United States President Joe Biden.
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s New York agenda revolves around his participation in the Global Development Initiative and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) summit.
On the diplomatic front, the prime minister is poised to engage in discussions with Iranian President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will also attend the lavish banquet hosted by US President Joe Biden in honor of world leaders.
The 78th session's theme is “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all.”
Caretaker PM Kakar arrived in New York on Monday afternoon, leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 78th UN General Assembly session, which boasts attendance by 150 global leaders.
He was received at John F. Kennedy International Airport by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aamir Khan, Consul General in New York, Aamer Ahmed Atozai, and other dignitaries.
The prime minister is set to address the General Assembly on Sept 22, becoming the first Pakistani caretaker premier to do so. During his address, PM Kakar is expected to emphasize Pakistan’s perspective on various regional and global issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Furthermore, he will elaborate on the significant measures undertaken by his caretaker administration to bolster the country’s economic recovery and stimulate domestic and international investments.
In addition to these engagements, the prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from multiple countries and leaders of international organizations, philanthropic organizations, and corporate leaders. He also has a series of media interactions scheduled.
Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani arrived on Sunday to support PM Kakar's mission. PM Kakar will be the first interim prime minister to represent Pakistan at the UN General Assembly.
During his visit to the UN headquarters, PM Kakar will participate in a sustainable development goals (SDG) summit, a crucial initiative by the United Nations. The prime minister will focus on financing for SDGs in his address, underlining the importance of mobilizing funds.
Additionally, the prime minister will deliver a keynote speech at another summit dedicated to financing for development, where he will advocate for the mobilization of private sector finance for development.
It's worth noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen not to attend this year’s session. Instead, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will address the Assembly on September 26.