ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has urged the
people to do everything possible to make the world a better place; free
of hunger, poverty, disease, deprivations and violence.
In a
message on the occasion of “United Nations Day” falling on October 24,
he said in view of the present-day challenges, the performance of the
United Nations has been quite remarkable in various fields such as
education, gender equality, humanitarian assistance, climate change,
overcoming child mortality and deadly diseases, controlling acute hunger
and international peacekeeping in the volatile parts of world.
October
24, 2011 represents the 66th foundation day of the United Nations, when
delegates from 51 countries of the world got together in the wake of
conclusion of World War II and established an international body on this
very day in 1945.
The Prime Minister said the core agenda of
the United Nations was premised on promotion of peace, advancement of
justice and equitable development around the world, establishment of
friendly relations among the nations, peaceful and negotiated end to
conflicts, and conquest over hunger, disease, illiteracy, and
safeguarding the rights and freedoms of people.
“The day draws
our attention to the achievements of the UN besides familiarizing the
people with the principles and aims that underline the functioning of
this world body in a bid to win their support and backing for the work
of the UN,” he added.
The United Nations has played an
appreciable role in the promotion of international cooperation in the
field of social sector, which matters so much to the people in terms of
improving their living standards, protecting their fundamental rights
and freedoms, he said.
Gilani said the entire world community
has shown a remarkable sense of purpose in dealing with the factors that
hinder the upward trajectory of the nations in these key sectors.
The
Prime Minister said despite showing appreciable performance in social
sector, the UN is confronted with the complex and evolving challenges
posed to the global order.
Pakistan’s participation in the
United Nations peacekeeping missions stems from its commitment to serve
humanity, international peace and collective security, he added.
Gilani
said, “We consider peacekeeping as the flagship activity of the United
Nations, providing the basis on which the UN can build peace and
stability in countries affected by conflict.
“There is also an
acute need of introducing multilateralism in the UN system to ward off
dangers posed to international peace and order,” he said, adding that
such a multilateral approach would play a significant role in evolving
international consensus on dealing with issues through broad-based
participation of the world community.
The Prime Minister said
the reform of Security Council was a matter of fundamental interest and
importance for all the member states.
“Pakistan supports the democratisation of the UN system to make representation at the UNSC equitable.”
However,
there are deep differences regarding the expansion of the Council and
the ambitions of some states to become permanent members. Pakistan has a
long-standing principled position against increase of permanent
members, he added.
“Let us resolve on this day to do everything
possible to make our world a worth-living place; free of hunger,
poverty, disease, deprivations and violence. We owe this much to our
succeeding generations and let us vow not to fail them,” he said Online
