PAKISTAN ASSUMES ITS SEAT AS A NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS’ SECUR

PAKISTAN ASSUMES ITS SEAT AS A NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS’ SECURITY COUNCIL FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM (2003-2004) ON 1ST JANUARY, 2003.

Press Release, Islamabad 31 December 2002

Pakistan assumes its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations’ Security Council for a two-year term (2003-2004) on 1st January, 2003.

This is the 6th time that Pakistan has been elected to serve on the Security Council. Pakistan’s earlier terms were in 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976- 77, 1968-69 and 1952-53.

Pakistan was elected to the 15-member Security Council on 27 September 2002. Other countries elected to serve on the Council along with Pakistan were Angola, Chile, Germany and Spain. Cameron, Guinea, Syria, Bulgaria and Mexico will complete their term in December 2003.

The Council has five permanent members - China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States. The remaining ten members are elected by the General Assembly.

Pakistan is strongly committed to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Since joining the United Nations in 1947 Pakistan has worked actively for the maintenance of international peace and security. Pakistan’s contribution is reflected in its prominent role for decades in UN peacekeeping operations across continents, its efforts for pacific settlement of disputes and its endeavors for equity and justice in the context of the economic and social issues on the global agenda.

Pakistan has joined the Security Council at a crucial juncture. We highly value the trust reposed in Pakistan by the UN membership. Pakistan would play its role in the Security Council with a deep sense of responsibility and in a constructive spirit.

Pakistan’s participation in Security Council deliberations would be consistent with our principled policies and guided by our high ideals. Pakistan will strive for advancing the UN Charter principles, notably those related to the maintenance of peace and security and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

In constructive collaboration with other members of the Security Council, Pakistan will work for the implementation of UN resolutions, and the achievement of the targets set in the Millennium Declaration towards a better and more peaceful world.