Ban praises Pakistan's role in backing UN's peace efforts

NEW YORK: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, lauded Pakistan's contribution to various UN activities, especially the world body's peacekeeping operations around the globe, and called for unity among members state to advance the cause of peace.

Speaking at a dinner held for him by Pakistan's UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon to celebrate his election for a second term as the UN chief, Ban said that apart from Climate Change, one of his priorities would be the implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of development targets aimed at halving poverty and improving the welfare of the world's poorest by 2015, according to a press release issued by Pakistan Mission here.

No matter how powerful any single country is, it cannot solve global problems by itself, he said, while underscoring the need to act collectively to address the global issues. Nothing was impossible if nations were united, he added. During his visit last year to flood-hit Pakistan, the secretary-general said that he was highly impressed by the courage, perseverance and resilience of the Pakistani people as they endured the calamity.

"He paid tributes to his host -- Ambassador Haroon -- for being a "trusted friend" of the UN and for his "exceptional diplomatic skills" that led to the "strengthening of the partnership between the UN and Pakistan," the press release said. Welcoming the UN chief, Haroon expressed appreciation for the work done by him during his first term, saying the organization had become "more effective and vibrant."

He presented the secretary-general a sculpture made up of pieces of granite collected from various parts of the world, symbolizing universal brotherhood, inclusiveness and multilateralism that underpin the UN Charter. Among others who spoke were President-elect for the 66th session of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser; Egyptian Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz; former US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad; Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri; Ugandam Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda, and the outgoing Under Secretary General for UN Peacekeeping, Alain Le Roy.

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