UN chief urges other countries to follow Pakistan's example in support of refugees

During his maiden official visit, the UNSG will call on President Arif Alvi and PM Imran Khan.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed praise for Pakistan for “sheltering Afghan refugees for 40 years” and urged “the world to support host countries and show similar leadership in standing with refugees."

While addressing a conference entitled “Special Talk on Sustainable Development and Climate Change” organised at Islamabad Marriott Hotel, the UNSG termed the challenges and threats of climate change “a common responsibility of all global partners.”

He underscored the need to step up actions to achieve goals of climate change and sustainable development. “The goals of global peace and prosperity are linked with alleviation of poverty, inequality and hunger.”

The UN chief appreciated steps taken by the government to address negative impacts of climate change in Pakistan.

Later responding to a question regarding Kashmir, the Secretary General stressed that human rights must be respected anywhere in the world.

To a question on human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he has been always advocating the need for enhanced dialogue between Pakistan and India and even offered his good offices more than once.

He said good offices can be accepted if both countries agree to it.

The Secretary General said we have been expressing very clearly the absolute need for human rights to be fully respected in Occupied Kashmir.

He said two reports presented by the UNHCR on the situation shows the solid contribution for that and those reports are very important in clarifying the situation. He said our strong commitment is clear that human rights must be respected anywhere in the world.

Meanwhile, in her address, Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul asserted that the government has taken concrete measures to address challenges of climate change.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said, “Pakistan is fifth most vulnerable country that suffers the most from climate-related disasters in the long-term.”

He said the incumbent government has zero-tolerance policy against timber mafia involved in illegal deforestation and massive cutting down of trees in the country.

The adviser said the government launched the “Billion Tree Tsunami Project” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to address threats and challenges of climate change.

He said the government recently approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP), with an objective to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

The adviser said the government increased the budget for development projects by 16 percent for preserving environment and prevent climate change.

After meeting a delegation of Afghan refugees, Mr Guterres stated: "My first meeting in Pakistan: generations of Afghan refugees shared their deeply moving stories, hopes & dreams."

My first meeting in Pakistan: generations of Afghan refugees shared their deeply moving stories, hopes & dreams. For 40 years, Pakistan has sheltered Afghan refugees. I urge the world to support host countries and show similar leadership in standing #WithRefugees. pic.twitter.com/rc4e75qNw9

- Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 16, 2020

Maiden visit to Pakistan

Earlier today, Mr Guterres arrived in Islamabad on his maiden four-day official visit to attend the International Conference on 40 Years of Hosting Afghan Refugees that is being organised by the Government of Pakistan and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram, and senior officers of the Foreign Office and the United Nations in Pakistan received him.

In the afternoon, a delegation of Afghan refugees called on Guterres. He said overall 2.7 million refugees are residing in Pakistan with 2.4 million registered refugees affected by the Afghan war.

During discussion of matters pertaining to Afghan refugees, the UN Chief said, “Pakistan is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world.”

He thanked Pakistan’s people and the government over their hospitality. Representatives from Afghanistan, Yemen and Tajikstan were part of the delegation.

The two-day conference in Islamabad, starting on February 17, will be a recognition of Pakistan’s "tremendous generosity" in hosting millions of refugees from Afghanistan over four decades, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during a regular noon briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York on Friday.

The conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan, while various senior U.S. officials will also attend the conference.

The UN Secretary General will also inaugurate today a photography exhibition at the United Nations Peace Mission to praise Pakistan’s six decades of service for humanity.

The story began in 1960 with Pakistan deploying peacekeepers in Congo, and then to many other countries, including Somalia, Cambodia, Bosnia, in the following years.

During his maiden four-day official visit, the UNSG will also call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. He will hold a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. During these meetings, Pakistan’s perspective on Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be shared with the UN Secretary General.

The Secretary General’s other engagements include interactions with parliamentarians, media and youths. He will deliver special talks on themes of sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping.

On Tuesday, he will visit Lahore where he will meet students and attend an event on Pakistan’s polio vaccination campaign. He will also travel to Kartarpur to visit the Sikh holy site of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

Responding to a question, the spokesman said the UN chief will not be visiting the disputed Kashmir region during this trip. He is set to return to New York on Wednesday.

Earlier, on his way to Pakistan, the UN chief tweeted: “Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to the United Nation’s peacekeeping efforts around the world.”

Lauding Pakistan’s contribution to worldwide peacekeeping efforts, Antonio Guterres said he was visiting the country to express his gratitude to the people.

Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to @unpeacekeeping efforts around the world. I am travelling to Pakistan, where I plan to express my gratitude to the people #ServingForPeace. pic.twitter.com/81PuuIZ9kw

— Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 15, 2020