Astana, June 17 (Kazinform/APP) : The Kazakh capital is set to host today the II Central Asia–China Summit, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The summit is expected to be attended by the Heads of Central Asian countries and President of China Xi Jinping, who is visiting Kazakhstan.
Those gathered are to focus on strengthening regional cooperation, expanding the political dialogue, deepening trade and economic ties, developing transport and transit integration, energy, innovations and sustainable development.
Utmost attention is to be paid to ensuring regional security, coordination of joint efforts in combating transnational threats, and promotion of cultural and humanitarian exchange.
Following the summit, the Astana Declaration and the Treaty on Eternal Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation will be signed.
As earlier reported, the I Central Asia–China Summit took place on May 19, 2023, in Xi’an, China. Addressing those present, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the key directions for further cooperation between Central Asian states and China and put forward several initiatives.
As reported earlier, Kazakh leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warmly welcomed President of China Xi Jinping at the Akorda Presidential Palace, as the latter arrived in Astana on Monday.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): In a powerful joint statement, the foreign ministers of 20 nations, including Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and Egypt, have strongly condemned Israel’s recent military attacks against Iran, calling for de-escalation and swift return negotiations for a sustainable agreement on Iranian nuclear program.
The foreign ministers who issued a joint statement, included those of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, according to the text issued by the Foreign Office.
The statement was issued in light of the rapidly evolving regional developments and the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the Middle East, particularly owing to the ongoing military aggression of Israel against Iran.
The foreign ministers categorically rejected and condemned Israel’s recent attacks Iran since June 13, 2025, and any actions that contravened international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
They emphasized the necessity of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, adhering to the principles of good neighbourliness, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
They stressed the need to halt Israeli hostilities against Iran, which come during a time of increasing tension in the Middle East, and to work towards de-escalation, to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and restoration of calm.
The foreign ministers expressed great concern regarding this dangerous escalation, which threatened to have serious consequences on the peace and stability of the entire region.
The leaders of 20 national called for urgent necessity of establishing a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which should apply to all States in the region without exception in line with relevant international resolutions.
There is also an urgent need for all countries of the Middle East to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), they emphasized.
The foreign ministers highlighted the paramount importance of refraining from targeting nuclear facilities that were under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, in accordance with relevant IAEA resolutions and United Nations Security Council decisions, as such acts constituted a violation of international law and international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
They viewed that a swift return to the path of negotiations was the only viable means to reach a sustainable agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
The foreign ministers also underscored the importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation in international waterways per the relevant rules of international law, and refraining from undermining maritime security.
The foreign ministers unanimously believed that diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to the principles of good neighbourliness, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter, remained the only viable path to resolving crises in the region, and that military means could not bring about a lasting resolution to the ongoing crisis.
STRASBOURG June 16, (APP): Pakistan’s high level parliamentary delegation on Monday here held a series of meetings with the European Union members of Parliament and officials and briefed them on Pakistan’s perspective on the current situation in South Asia and India’s aggression and violation of international law and human rights.
The parliamentary delegation held a meeting with Head of Foreign Affairs Committee of European Union David McAllister.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views in detail on important regional and global matters of mutual interest including the critical situation of peace and security in South Asia and the unilateral suspension of Indus waters treaty by India.
They also talked about the need for formulating an effective strategy to keep peace in the region and avoid conflicts.
The delegation stressed that Pakistan was supportive of effective diplomacy and negotiation mechanism to ensure peace in the region.
It stressed that European Union should play an important role in backing multilateral framework for maintaining peace and justice.
McAllister said the European Union was keen to strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan.
During the visit, the delegation also met with Chairman of European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) Ilhan Kyuchyuk.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the progress made by Pakistan to ensure rule of law, judicial independence and implementation of law under GSP+.
The delegation conveyed its grave concern regarding India’s unilateral measures in violation of international laws.
The members of the delegation made it clear that the violation of bilateral agreements such as Indus waters treaty and using of water resources as military weapon was not only violation of international laws but was also against the basic human rights.
The Pakistani delegation emphasised upon the need for upholding of law and observance of rule-based international order.
The delegation also held parleys with the members of leading political party in the European Parliament ESN.
The members of ESN party in the European Parliament welcomed the delegation in Strasbourg.
The Pakistani delegation discussed important bilateral matters, with the ESN members of Parliament, including regional stability and anti-terrorism.
The delegation briefed the members of European Parliament about the aggressive posturing of India, its suspension of Indus waters treaty and weaponization of water resources.
The delegation said despite the repeated provocations of India, the reaction of Pakistan was reflective of its determination to stay calm and patient and keep peace.
It stressed that the international community should put pressure on India for peace in the region and stop it from violation of international laws and agreements.
The delegation also held meeting with the Vice Chair of the sub committee of European Parliament on Human Rights Marta Temido.
During the meeting, the discussions were focused on Pakistan’s legal reforms, constitutional protection of minorities and progress made under the GSP+ framework.
The Pakistani delegation briefed about the severe violations of human rights by India in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegation stated that Pakistan will continue its efforts to bring to attention of the international community the ongoing cruelty and oppression in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and for the need to protect human rights of Kashmiris.
APP/mnr
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 17 (APP): Facing the most severe funding shortfall in the history of humanitarian aid, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher on Monday announced a “hyper-prioritized” appeal for $29 billion to meet urgent global needs.
“We have been forced into a triage of human survival,” said Fletcher. “The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can with the resources we are given.”
The appeal aims to reprioritize individual country plans in pursuit of two main goals: first, to reach people and places facing the most urgent humanitarian needs, and second, to prioritize life-saving support based on existing planning for the 2025 humanitarian response.
This is intended to ensure that limited resources are directed where they can do the most good, as quickly as possible.
Rather than limiting lifesaving aid to a predetermined matrix, humanitarian partners are focused on addressing the most urgent needs in ways that respect the dignity of affected people, allowing them to choose what they need most, OCHA said.
The appeal prioritizes but does not replace the Global Humanitarian Overview 2025 (GHO), launched last December, which covers 180 million vulnerable people across 70 countries. The GHO calls for $44 billion, but at the halfway point of the year, less than 13 per cent of that amount has been received.
“Brutal funding cuts leave us with brutal choices,” said Fletcher. “All we ask is one per cent of what you chose to spend last year on war. But this isn’t just an appeal for money – it’s a call for global responsibility, for human solidarity, for a commitment to end the suffering.”
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 17 (APP): The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) announced on Monday that it is cutting global staffing costs by around 30 per cent, following a comprehensive review of its activities, spending, staffing and structure, prompted by major funding shortfalls.
This will entail cutting just under half of all senior positions at the agency’s Geneva headquarters and regional bureaux.
Around 3,500 permanent staff posts have been discontinued, hundreds of temporary staff positions have been terminated, and some offices have been downsized or closed worldwide.
According to the report, decisions on where to cut costs were guided by the priority to maintain operations in regions with the most urgent refugee needs.
The announcement follows a warning in March from UNHCR that severe funding cuts were putting millions of refugee lives at risk, with immediate and devastating consequences.
The agency anticipates it will end the year with available funding at roughly the same level as a decade ago – despite the number of refugees forced to flee having nearly doubled in that time to over 122 million.
“In light of difficult financial realities, UNHCR is compelled to reduce the overall scale of its operations,” said Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “We will focus our efforts on activities that have the greatest impact for refugees, supported by streamlined headquarters and regional bureau structures.”
Despite the prioritization of refugee needs, key programmes – including financial assistance to vulnerable families, health, education, and water and sanitation – have been significantly impacted.
In response, UNHCR is coordinating with UN partners, aid groups and host countries to mitigate the impact on those who rely on its support by streamlining operations, exploring new models and utilising technology to enhance efficiency.
“Even as we face painful cuts and lose so many dedicated colleagues, our commitment to refugees remains unshakeable,” said Grandi.
“Although resources are scarcer and our capacity to deliver is reduced, we will continue to work hard to respond to emergencies, protect the rights of refugees and pursue solutions.”