Islamabad : Addressing a press conference, the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Mohamed Yahya appreciated Pakistan’s contributions to UN in the areas of peacekeeping, refugee protection, humanitarian action, climate change, and international cooperation for sustainable development.
He also acknowledged the constant support and assistance of the Government of Pakistan and highlighted the many accomplishments of the un agencies working in Pakistan in diverse sectors.
This Saturday, the United Nations in Pakistan is inviting the public to join a family-oriented event that will celebrate “UN Day” and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations at Alhamra Arts Council on Mall Road in Lahore on Saturday 25th afternoon.
UN Day in Lahore will feature free live performances by Pakistani artists, including Farhan Saeed, Urooj Fatima, Ali Ashraf ft. Dastaan, and Nazakat Ali Shad. A Career Booth will help people learn how they can apply for a career at the UN, with UN Human Resources teams sharing tips and advice. At a ‘UN Market Place’, the public will meet the teams of 22 UN agencies operating in Pakistan, and learn about their activities. An exhibition will feature the common history between the UN and Pakistan. Fun activities for children, selfie corners, food stalls and giveaways will also be featured. The doors of this family-oriented event will open at 3:00 pm; entry is free. Last year the UN celebrated UN Day in Islamabad; the annual event is expected to take place in a different city every year.
This year is special as the UN is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a plan for change — “Building Our Future Together” — that focuses on global cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, inequality, and conflict.
“Over the past 80 years, the UN has led the way to some of humanity’ greatest triumphs with the support of Member States, including Pakistan,” said Mohamed Yahya, UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator. “The tests of the next 80 years will be both familiar – the fight against the scourges of war, hunger, and poverty – and new – climate change, which is already hitting Pakistan hard, artificial intelligence, increasingly lethal weapons, and things we have not imagined yet. To meet these challenges, and realize the universal aspiration to peace, prosperity, and happiness, we need to remember one thing: the only way forward is together. This is what we will celebrate in Lahore this Saturday.”
During this week, UN staff is also organizing public service activities in the four provinces to support their local communities in honour of United Nations Day, which reaffirms the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Every year, it commemorates the ratification of the UN Charter by Member States on 24 October 1945. Pakistan joined the UN two years later.
The country is currently serving its eighth term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and is one of the longest-serving and largest contributors to UN peacekeeping throughout the world.
Several Pakistanis were instrumental to the development of the UN and of its values. As UN delegates, Begum Shaista Ikramullah and Ahmad Shah Bokhari supported the drafting of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the creation of the UN agency for children (UNICEF) respectively. Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq created the Human Development Index, and Dr. Nafis Sadik was the first woman to lead one of the UN’s major voluntarily funded programmes.
There are 23 UN institutions based in Pakistan, with 266 offices across the country. They support the Government and people to bring about progress for all – better access to quality basic services, gender equality and women’s empowerment, climate action, economic growth and decent employment, and a more efficient governance.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
