New York: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended opening session of high-level general debate of 77th Session of United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York. Reception was held for heads of states and governments participating in UNGA, according to Prime Minister’s Office.

During reception, prime minister interacted with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and President of Iran Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi.

On sidelines of event, Shehbaz met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed bilateral ties as well as matters of regional and international importance. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar accompanied prime minister. Later, he held meeting with Federal Chancellor of Republic of Austria Karl Nehammer. They discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen mutual cooperation in multiple fields.

During his visit, PM Shehbaz will hold bilateral meetings with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon and Iranian President Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi. In afternoon, prime minister will visit Times Centre for an interview with New York Times’ editorial board. Later, he will be called on by US Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry.

On September 21, Shehbaz will meet International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank President David Malpass and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Besides meeting with UNGA President, prime minister will also attend a dinner reception to be hosted by US President Joe Biden. Meetings with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, UNSG Guterres, Chinese President Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will also be a part of PM Shehbaz’s engagements. On September 23, he will address UNGA session, where his speech will focus on challenges faced by Pakistan in wake of recent climate-induced catastrophic floods in country.

In his opening remarks at summit, UN Chief Guterres issued a stark warning of an upcoming “winter of global discontent” from rising prices, a warming planet and deadly conflicts. “Trust is crumbling, inequalities are exploding and our planet is burning. People are hurting with most vulnerable suffering most.” With global temperatures rising and a chunk of Pakistan size of United Kingdom recently under water, Guterres lashed out at fossil fuel companies and “suicidal war against nature.” “Let’s tell it like it is our world is addicted to fossil fuels. It’s time for an intervention. We need to hold fossil fuel companies and their enablers to account,” Guterres said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 21 2022

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