ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday reaffirmed the UN’s strong partnership with Pakistan, praising the country’s longstanding humanitarian role, contribution to international peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts, while calling for an end to regional conflicts and a return to diplomacy.
Speaking in Islamabad, Guterres said he was in the closing months of his tenure as UN Secretary-General and had returned to Pakistan because, over more than two decades in different UN roles, he had witnessed Pakistan repeatedly emerge as a source of solidarity and practical solutions.
He said Pakistan’s importance to the international community went beyond its size, stressing that the country brought an essential perspective to global debates, particularly on humanitarian issues, peace and security.
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Recalling his decade-long service as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres said he had personally witnessed Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghans who fled conflict and instability over the decades. He acknowledged the support provided by Pakistani communities to refugees and said the United Nations remained committed to working with Pakistan to uphold protection principles and ensure that Afghan returns were voluntary, safe and dignified.
The UN chief also praised Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. He said Pakistan had helped create conditions that contributed to the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and a framework for further negotiations.
Guterres said Pakistanis should take pride in the country’s role in that diplomatic process.
From Islamabad, he urged all parties involved in regional conflicts to end hostilities and return to diplomacy, while calling for the restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.
On the Palestinian issue, the UN secretary-general reiterated that lasting peace in the region could not be achieved without the realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, noting Pakistan’s longstanding support for this principle.He expressed hope for a region marked by peace and prosperity and anchored in dialogue and cooperation.
Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution during its two-year tenure as a member of the UN Security Council, saying the country had emphasised multilateralism, dialogue, mediation and diplomacy at a time of increasing global divisions and mistrust.
He linked these principles to domestic stability as well, saying inclusive institutions, respect for human rights and a vibrant civic space were important for strengthening social cohesion, building public trust and enabling citizens to participate fully in shaping their countries’ futures.
The UN chief paid tribute to Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping, noting that Pakistani men and women had served with distinction in some of the world’s most difficult and dangerous missions.
He said more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers had lost their lives while serving the cause of international peace and honoured their sacrifices.
Guterres particularly appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation with Denmark in sponsoring UN Security Council Resolution 2823, aimed at strengthening accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers. He noted that 153 countries had co-sponsored the resolution, describing it as the largest number of co-sponsors for a Security Council resolution in UN history.
Expressing solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, Guterres said all forms of terrorism must be unequivocally condemned. He acknowledged the immense human cost Pakistan had suffered, with thousands killed and families and communities continuing to carry the consequences of terrorism.
He said the United Nations stood with Pakistan in confronting the threat, while emphasising that legitimate security concerns must be addressed through responses grounded in international law, human rights and the rule of law.
Turning to climate change, Guterres recalled his previous visit to Pakistan during the devastating 2022 floods, saying the scale of destruction remained unforgettable. At the same time, he said he had witnessed the resilience, determination and solidarity of the Pakistani people.He described Pakistan as being on the frontline of climate change despite contributing only a very small share of global emissions.
According to Guterres, Pakistan was also playing an important role in the global climate response, including its leadership in efforts that contributed to establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and its growing transition towards clean energy.
However, he stressed that vulnerable developing countries could not carry the burden of climate action alone.
Guterres said the G20 accounted for around 80 percent of global emissions and called for a drastic reduction in emissions during the current decade. He stressed that while the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remained important, every country had a role to play.
He urged developed countries to honour their climate commitments, including those agreed at COP29 in Baku, and to provide developing countries with the financing, technology and other support required to strengthen resilience and accelerate a just energy transition.
Concluding his remarks, Guterres acknowledged the challenges confronting Pakistan but said what had consistently impressed him was the resilience of the Pakistani people and their determination to build a better future.
He said his visit was aimed at further strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the United Nations and reaffirmed that the UN stood firmly with the people of Pakistan.
Guterres also thanked Pakistanis for their continued contribution to the international community, particularly in humanitarian action, peacekeeping, diplomacy and efforts to promote international peace and security.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and UN Secretary-General AntónioGuterres held a meeting, and their discussions covered regional and global issues relating to peace and security, including Palestine, Jammu & Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, and the future of multilateralism.
The deputy prime ministerbriefed the UNSG on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu & Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, reaffirming Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes.
The UN chief appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation, and de-escalation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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