PM Shehbaz to push for US-Iran peace at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to use the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session in New York to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to help end the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

The prime minister is scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on September 25, with the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran likely to dominate discussions among world leaders.

The high-level General Debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 26, followed by a final sitting on September 28. The official theme of this year’s session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

However, the continuing US-Iran conflict is expected to overshadow the formal agenda. Leaders are likely to discuss regional security, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic options for preventing further escalation.

Diplomatic sources said Pakistan is expected to reiterate its position that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations rather than continued military action. Shehbaz is also expected to brief world leaders on Pakistan’s contacts with countries seeking to reduce tensions and promote a diplomatic settlement.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 22, the opening day of the high-level debate. Brazil is traditionally the first country to speak during the general debate.

Prime Minister Shehbaz is also expected to attend a reception hosted by Trump on the same day.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s possible participation has emerged as another major focus ahead of the UNGA. Iran has provisionally been placed fifth on the speakers’ list for September 23, but Tehran has yet to make a final decision on whether the president will travel to New York.

Iranian officials have raised concerns over what they describe as restrictions imposed by Washington on the Iranian delegation’s travel and participation.

Israel is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to represent the country. India, meanwhile, plans to send its foreign minister, who is scheduled to speak on September 26.

The Iranian issue is also expected to generate debate at the UN Security Council during the General Assembly session. The council is due to vote on September 17 on extending the mandate of the panel monitoring sanctions on Iran. Its current mandate expires on September 26.

The proposed extension could deepen existing divisions within the Security Council, with the United States and its Western allies supporting continued monitoring while Russia and China have opposed the mechanism.

The dispute is connected to the reimposition of UN sanctions under the “snapback” mechanism after Britain, France and Germany determined last year that Iran was failing to meet its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Tehran has rejected allegations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.

For Pakistan, the conflict has particular significance because of its geographic proximity to Iran and its economic and security interests in the Gulf. Islamabad is therefore expected to push for de-escalation and a negotiated settlement while using the UN platform to engage with key international partners.

Shehbaz is expected to travel to New York with a high-level delegation and hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The 81st UNGA session formally opened on Wednesday, with Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman taking over as president of the General Assembly. His priorities include promoting international peace and security, rebuilding confidence in multilateral institutions and advancing reforms within the United Nations.