New York, 24 July 2025 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, presided over the United Nations Security Council briefing on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and the strengthening of global-regional partnerships.
In his statement, Senator Ishaq Dar emphasised that the meeting comes at a time of “deepening global disorder,” with escalating conflicts, expanding humanitarian crises, and the normalization of ideologies of hatred. He called for stronger, principled coordination between the UN and regional organizations like the OIC, asserting that “the urgency for coordination and principled action has never been greater.”
Highlighting the OIC’s legitimacy, diverse membership, and principled mandate, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored its consistent advocacy for justice and sovereignty. He noted its vital role in advancing the rights of the Palestinian people and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as its contributions to peace efforts in Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and the Sahel.
Senator Dar also welcomed the growing institutional engagement between the UN and the OIC across areas including mediation, humanitarian relief, disarmament, and cultural preservation. He stressed the need for this cooperation to evolve into “operational synergy,” calling for mechanisms such as early warning systems, joint mediation frameworks, and sustained collaboration.
A key focus of the address was the rising global tide of Islamophobia. Senator Dar recalled the international endorsement of Pakistan’s initiative to designate 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and welcomed the recent appointment of a UN Special Envoy on the issue. He called for further institutionalisation of the OIC’s role in global efforts to promote inclusion and interfaith harmony.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the General Assembly, during its 79th session, adopted resolution 79/9 reaffirming the relevance of the UN–OIC partnership. He urged the Security Council to embed this cooperation in durable, structured mechanisms rooted in trust and shared responsibility.
On the matter of UN Security Council reform, Senator Dar reiterated the OIC’s longstanding position for equitable representation in any expanded configuration of the Council. Concluding his statement, Senator Dar expressed hope that the day’s deliberations would catalyze “fresh thinking, renewed commitment, and bold action.” He also extended gratitude to all delegations for their support in reaching consensus on a Presidential Statement adopted at the meeting, aimed at reinforcing the institutional cooperation between the UN and the OIC.