UNGA adopts resolution on Ukraine, Pakistan abstains from voting

Vote on eve of Russian invasion of Ukraine was 141 in favor to 7 against, with 32 abstentions.

Picture source- who.int

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution on the Ukrainian issue, with Pakistan abstaining from the voting.

The resolution emphasized the need for peace and ensured the nation’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

The vote, which took place just on the eve of Russian invasion of Ukraine, was 141 in favour to 7 against and 32 abstentions. More than 60 countries supported it.

It urged UN members and other international organizations to redouble support for diplomatic efforts to bring about peace under those conditions.

The General Assembly demanded that Russia immediately and unconditionally remove all its armed forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized boundaries.

It reiterated the principle that no territory may be obtained via the threat or use of force.

143 UNGA members voted in October 2022 to denounce Russia’s takeover of Ukrainian territory. Russia was one of the five nations that voted against the resolution. Pakistan was one of the 35 nations that didn’t vote.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, expressed serious worry about the crisis in Ukraine that resulted in significant human suffering and severe harm to that country’s infrastructure, economy and society.

He urged de-escalation, new dialogues and ongoing communication for a diplomatic peace settlement.

The Pakistani representative stated, “We applaud the great effort made by the co-sponsors (of the resolution) to modify the tone and wording of the draft resolution.”

Akram asserted that Pakistan completely supports the resolution’s call for respecting the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and non-aggression toward other states. He argued that using force to break up states is not possible.

Ambassador Akram added, “Pakistan regrets that these values have not always been followed and respected, such as in the case of foreign occupation and the ongoing endeavour to annex Jammu and Kashmir illegally and forcibly.”

Ambassador Akram stated that Pakistan continues to hope that parties will quickly accept a cessation of hostilities in a constructive approach.