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. The escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran is expected to be a major issue among world leaders during the high-level session.
The General Debate is scheduled to take place 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.”
Despite the formal agenda, the continuing US-Iran conflict is expected to dominate discussions, with leaders likely to focus on regional security, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic options to prevent 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 Sharif is also expected to brief world leaders on Pakistan’s diplomatic contacts with countries seeking to reduce tensions and encourage a negotiated settlement.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 22, the opening day of the high-level debate. The Brazilian president traditionally speaks first during the general debate. Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to attend a reception hosted by Trump on the same day.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s possible participation is another major focus ahead of the UNGA. Iran has provisionally been placed fifth on the speakers’ list for September 23, although Tehran has yet to make a final decision on whether the president will travel to New York.
Iranian officials have expressed 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 is expected 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, whose current mandate expires on September 26.
The proposed extension could deepen 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 linked 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 US-Iran confrontation carries particular significance because of the country’s geographic proximity to Iran and its economic and security interests in the Gulf. Islamabad is therefore expected to advocate de-escalation and a negotiated settlement while using the UN platform to engage with key international partners.
Shehbaz Sharif 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 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.
