28 May 2021 –The President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkır paid an official visit to Pakistan on 26-27 May.

President Bozkır began his engagements by delivering an address at the National Defence University, Islamabad. His lecture focused on multilateral solutions to global challenges pertaining to peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. 

The President then met with H.E. Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The topics of discussion included Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, United Nations Security Council Reform, Pakistan’s Presidency of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, climate action, financing for development, and the equal, fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. 

Mr. Bozkır also engaged in a joint press briefing together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.   

The President was also received by H.E. Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan. They discussed the situations in Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, and Afghanistan, as well as the importance of debt restructuring and eradicating illicit financial flows. 

In addition, Mr. Bozkır met with the United Nations Country Team, led by Resident Coordinator Julien Harneiss, where he was briefed on the work of the United Nations in Pakistan. 

President Bozkır was received by H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan. They discussed the role of multilateralism when contending with global challenges, and Pakistan’s role in the United Nations. 

Thereafter, H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, conferred Pakistan’s civil award Hilal-e-Pakistan on President Bozkır in recognition of his outstanding service as a leader who has served the United Nations, as the President of its 75th General Assembly, under unprecedented circumstances.

The President departed Islamabad on 28 May.

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For media inquiries, please contact Ms. Orla Murphy, Communications Adviser to the President of the General Assembly, orla.murphy@un.org, +1-202-322-8025