UNITED NATIONS: Contenders for the next UN secretary-general made their case this week for a United Nations more invested in peace, but avoided taking positions that could antagonize the member states who will choose the world body&#39;s next chief. Chile&#39;s Michelle Bachelet, Argentina&#39;s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica&#39;s Rebeca Grynspan, and Senegal&#39;s Macky Sall are all hoping to succeed Antonio Guterres on January 1, 2027, when his second five-year term ends. Each candidate spent three hours this week answering wide-ranging questions from the 193 member states and representatives of civil society. However, &quot;a lot of diplomats are a bit cynical about the hearings,&quot; Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group told AFP. &quot;There is a widespread suspicion that the US and other vetoes in the Security Council will select a winner in private and minimize the Assembly&#39;s role in the process.&quot; The question-and-answer sessions, dubbed &quot;interactive dialogues,&quot; were introduced in 2016. The General Assembly, where every member state has a seat, can only elect the secretary-general upon the recommendation of the Security Council, where the five permanent members, the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France hold veto power. Much of what the contenders said was &quot;formulaic,&quot; but they did send some &quot;important messages,&quot; according to Gowan. He said Grossi emphasized &quot;how fragile the UN is today&quot; and appeared more &quot;radical&quot; than Guterres on reform. All the candidates stressed the urgent need to restore confidence in a United Nations teetering on the brink of financial collapse. Its relevance has also been called into question in a world facing a level of armed conflict not seen since World War II. Chile&#39;s Bachelet, a former UN human rights chief, said the secretary-general should be &quot;physically present in the field&quot; wherever problems need solving, a position also taken by Grossi. Sall, a former president of Senegal, suggested a &quot;reinvented role&quot; so that the UN might &quot;regain its place at the global table.&quot; Some have criticized Guterres for failing to exert influence over conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East. Grynspan said the next UN chief &quot;needs to take a risk&quot; and lamented: &quot;We have become a risk-conservative organization.&quot; &quot;The UN only fails when we don&#39;t try, we have to try,&quot; added Grynspan, who, as head of UN Trade and Development, negotiated a deal that facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain following the 2022 Russian invasion. Waiting in the wings&nbsp;The candidates acknowledged the link between the UN&#39;s three pillars of peace, human rights and development, while emphasizing the organization&#39;s primary role in upholding the first tenet. US President Donald Trump has called for the UN to return to its &quot;original mission&quot; of peace. Very few of the questions focused on specific conflicts, and the candidates largely refrained from answering in concrete terms, preferring instead to invoke a commitment to the UN Charter. When asked about Gaza, however, Grynspan urged &quot;unrestricted&quot; entry of humanitarian aid and voiced support for a long-term solution for two states to live side by side in &quot;peace and security.&quot; Sall highlighted the &quot;human tragedy&quot; of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Candidates&#39; past stances and actions will undoubtedly influence the final selection. Republican lawmakers have already called on Washington to block Bachelet due to her defense of abortion rights. Grossi, the current head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, is involved in sensitive matters, including the response to Iran&#39;s nuclear program. The five Security Council permanent members remain tight-lipped about their intentions, and other contenders for UN chief might still emerge. &quot;I think that there are still quite a few candidates circling and waiting to see how things play out&quot; before declaring their candidacy, Gowan said.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi talks to the press on a road outside Zaporizhzhia city, after his visit to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on September 1, 2022, amid the Russian invasion 

Americas

Candidates for the next UN secretary-general urge a stronger, peace-focused UN while avoiding controversy, as major powers are expected to heavily influence the final decision.

UN leadership hopefuls stress need for peace and restoring confidence

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty expressed his gratitude to Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for the hospitality shown during the recent meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad. He also welcomed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative, which aims to promote dialogue and help resolve conflicts, as stated by Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office in a post on X. The conversation highlighted Islamabad&rsquo;s efforts to build support for a diplomatic, negotiation-led approach amid heightened instability in the region.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039620873490227229&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=ae7ddec59798bc7abb6eee7d2c7b3f942873f552&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 746px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Egypt&rsquo;s positive response to the five-point proposal suggests that Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach is resonating with key regional actors seeking de-escalation rather than further confrontation. Both ministers reaffirmed the close fraternal relations between Pakistan and Egypt and agreed to remain in close contact.&nbsp;The exchange underscored the importance both governments attach to sustained engagement as the regional situation continues to evolve. The call also reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader diplomatic position as an advocate of dialogue, political settlement and peace while strengthening coordination with influential partners in the Muslim world.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday night, with both sides reaffirming close bilateral ties and continued diplomatic coordination amid wider regional tensions.

 Pakistan-Egypt FMs reiterate support for peace initiatives

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, declaring that there is &quot;no military solution to the conflict in Sudan&quot; and asserting that meaningful dialogue remains the only viable path forward. Ambassador Jadoon warned that the crisis is currently deteriorating &quot;at an alarming pace,&quot; citing the expansion of hostilities into Kordofan following the humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher.&nbsp; To address the instability, he emphasized the need for coherence among international political initiatives.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2024717729471582468&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=0889d6deeb65e66808aa7a3fe8acf59016a1fb50&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2024717729471582468"></iframe></div></div>He stated that efforts from the African Union, the United Nations, and regional partners must be &quot;mutually reinforcing&quot; to help secure a humanitarian truce that can eventually evolve into a ceasefire. The ambassador expressed Pakistan&#39;s support for the peace plan presented by the transitional Sudanese government and welcomed recent communiqu&eacute;s from the African Union.&nbsp; However, he remained vocal regarding the escalating violence, strongly condemning atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur and Kordofan.&nbsp; Jadoon warned that deliberate attacks against civilians, peacekeepers, and humanitarian workers are unacceptable and &quot;may amount to war crimes&quot;.&nbsp; He noted that the civilian population is paying the heaviest price, facing sieges and the use of &quot;increasingly sophisticated weaponry&quot;. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s principled position, Jadoon reiterated unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan. He stressed that a unified Sudan is essential for the stability of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Red Sea region. Regarding the humanitarian crisis, Jadoon called for &quot;sustained, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access,&quot; noting that coordination with the Sudanese government is &quot;indispensable&quot; for effective aid delivery.&nbsp; He urged an urgent scaling-up of international funding for the response. In closing, Jadoon insisted that the &quot;guns must fall silent&quot; to restore a credible political horizon for a stable Sudan.

Pakistan's ambassador expresses the country's support for the peace plan presented by the transitional Sudanese government and welcomed recent communiqués from the African Union. 

Pakistan urges political path to peace in Sudan at UNSC 

Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer

In a world where conflict too often overshadows cooperation, the State of Qatar has pursued a path firmly anchored in the principles of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect. Qatar has earned a global reputation as a neutral and reliable mediator trusted to facilitate dialogue and bring parties together. This is not merely a policy choice of convenience; it is a constitutional commitment. Article 7 of Qatar&rsquo;s Constitution clearly stipulates mediation as a cornerstone of our foreign policy: &ldquo;based on the principle of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes.&rdquo; Guided by this principle, Qatar has consistently worked to manage conflicts and foster peaceful settlements, whether at the inter-state level or between states and non-state actors. Since the early 2000s, Qatar has successfully mediated ceasefires, facilitated hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, launched national dialogue processes among other initiatives, contributing to peace facilitation and agreements in many conflicts at both regional and international levels. Nowhere is Qatar&rsquo;s commitment to peace more visible than in its sustained mediation efforts regarding Palestine. Qatar has consistently supported international initiatives to alleviate humanitarian suffering and facilitate dialogue aimed at ceasefires and long-term stability. Qatar&rsquo;s efforts have included humanitarian assistance, reconstruction support, and diplomatic engagement with all relevant actors, always with the goal of protecting civilian lives and advancing the cause of a just and lasting peace.&nbsp; Our efforts are not conducted in isolation. Qatar has built partnerships with leading countries in the field of mediation, including memoranda of understanding with Sweden, Norway, and Finland. These agreements, and others with bilateral partners, enhance knowledge sharing and cooperation, ensuring that best practices inform every negotiation process. For Pakistan, a brotherly nation with whom we share deep historical and cultural ties and a common vision of regional stability, Qatar&rsquo;s mediation efforts hold special significance. Pakistan&rsquo;s own contributions to regional peace reflect its understanding of the challenges of conflict resolution. Together, our two countries can promote dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Qatar promotes both Track I diplomacy (state-to-state negotiations) and Track II approaches that include civil society, women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that sustainable peace requires the voices of all stakeholders. Qatar&rsquo;s mediation affirms that peace is not the monopoly of the powerful, but the responsibility of all. Guided by respect for sovereignty and non-interference, Qatar will continue to act as a bridge-builder and engage in mediation only with the consent of all parties. This principle of consent and neutrality is precisely why Qatar has been consistently invited to facilitate some of the world&rsquo;s most complex and sensitive dialogues. At a time when the world is marked by uncertainty, Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation. We stand ready, with partners like Pakistan, to demonstrate that peaceful resolution is not only possible but essential for a stable and just global order. The author is the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

Articles

Qatar, guided by its Constitution, has built a reputation as a neutral mediator, advancing peace through dialogue, humanitarian action in Palestine, and partnerships with countries like Pakistan to promote regional stability and conflict resolution.

Articles tagged with "Peace"

UN leadership hopefuls stress need for peace and restoring confidence

Pakistan-Egypt FMs reiterate support for peace initiatives

Pakistan urges political path to peace in Sudan at UNSC

Qatar and international conflict mediation