Swiss envoy hosts panel discussion

Swiss Ambassador Bénédict de Cerjat hosted a high-level panel discussion entitled ‘Role and Influence of Non-Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council’ at the Swiss residence.

The expert panel included retired ambassadors Riaz Mohammad Khan and Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Ambassador Adam Mulawarman Tugio of Indonesia, and Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al-Zaabi of the UAE. Shehryar Fazli, a senior political analyst, moderated the discussion. Government dignitaries, diplomats, think tank members and journalists also attended the event.

The panel discussion highlighted the positive aspects associated with a non-permanent seat on the council but also addressed the past, present and future challenges of such a membership.

Ambassador de Cerjat said: “For the very first time since joining the UN in 2002, Switzerland is presenting its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC in 2023-24.We are, therefore, eager to learn from the experiences of countries like Pakistan that have served on the council on several occasions. Switzerland’s candidature is a continuation of its engagement for peace and security within the UN and throughout the world.’’

The discussion comprised questions pertaining to UNSC reforms, expansion of the council, efficiency of its working methods, the importance of subsidiary organs and the rotating presidency. The panelists not only acknowledged Switzerland’s efforts in building bridges between competing actors but also welcomed its candidature for the UNSC at the June 2022 elections in New York.

Palestinian ambassador visits ICCI

Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Ameen Rabaie visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade.

He was accompanied by Adviser to Palestine Ambassador Aya Arafat and met ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, senior vice president Fatma Azim and vice president Abdul Rehman Khan.

Ambassador Rabaie said Pakistan and Palestine should focus on further improving bilateral trade to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes and create new opportunities of progress and prosperity for their people.

He said Pakistan and Palestine should promote business linkages between their private sectors to explore all untapped areas of mutual cooperation.

There are opportunities for both countries to expand existing political cooperation to the economy, agriculture, banking, health, education, social and cultural sectors, he added.

The envoy thanked the government and people of Pakistan for showing strong support to Palestine during the Gaza crisis and thanked the ICCI for its donation for the Palestinian people affected by the recent aggression of Israel.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said the Pakistani nation had special sentiments for Palestine and we want to see Palestine as a strong economy of the region. He said the ICCI was already in touch with the Palestinian Business Association (PBA) to encourage direct contacts between the entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Palestine by promoting trade delegations and exploring new avenues of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2021