UNITED NATIONS, Feb 12 (APP): Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday called for renewing trust in the United Nations, which he said was the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation, grounded in its universal membership and Charter-based mandate.
“Yet, today the overlapping crises of climate change, violent conflict, and deepening inequalities continue to limit its ability to deliver across its three interconnected pillars, ” said Gilani, who is leading a six-member Parliamentary delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s Annual Hearing at the United Nations.
The subject was: ‘The UN at 80 – Renewing Trust and Purpose through Cooperation and Partnership.’
“Respect for international law and meaningful progress in the peaceful settlement of long-standing disputes, in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, is equally essential. And yes, reform is essential, the chief Pakistani delegate said in his testimony.
“But it must be ‘Reform for All, Privilege for None,’ ” he added.
“As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, it remains the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation, grounded in its universal membership and Charter-based mandate,” Gilani said.
Referring to the the challenges of climate change, violent conflict, and deepening inequalities, he said that these pressures fall most heavily on the Global South, eroding hard-won development gains.
“Such systemic challenges underscore a fundamental reality: no nation can address them alone,” Gilani said.
“Renewed trust in the United Nations must therefore be anchored in strengthened multilateral cooperation, supported by adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing to enable it to carry out its mandates effectively. “
He said enhancing the UN’s credibility also required democratic, transparent, and accountable decision-making.
“Parliaments are indispensable partners in ensuring national ownership of international commitments,” the chief Pakistani delegate said.
Gilani said he looked forward to fostering synergy between the UN, the IPU, and the ISC in advancing the shared aspirations.