Secretary-General, in Message to Ministerial Meeting, Reaffirms United Nations

Support for ‘Friends of Democratic Pakistan’ Process

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Ministerial Meeting, in Brussels, today, 15 October:

It is a pleasure to greet the participants in this Meeting, chaired by Foreign Minister [Shah Mehmood] Qureshi and Baroness Ashton.  I thank the European Union for hosting this gathering, and welcome Egypt as the newest member of the Friends Group.

Let me renew my condolences to the Government and people of Pakistan for the loss and hardship caused by the devastating recent floods.  I continue to urge the international community to respond generously and swiftly to urgent relief and recovery needs, as well as to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.  I look forward to the presentation by the Government of its national reconstruction and development plan, laying the basis for a successful Pakistan Development Forum meeting.

I have appointed a new Special Envoy, Rauf Engin Soysal of Turkey, whose activities will be aimed at strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and Pakistan, and facilitating unity of effort among members of the Group of Friends.  He will also play an enhanced role in supporting the coordination of United Nations and international assistance.

I would like to reaffirm the support of the United Nations for the Friends process, which provides a comprehensive framework for reviewing progress across the political, strategic and reform agenda.  Reform is crucial for strengthening peace and stability in the border areas and in preventing future conflict.  I continue to urge the international community to support Pakistan’s efforts to implement the recommendations of the post-crisis needs assessment exercise.

The United Nations will also stand with Pakistan in facing the challenge of violent extremism and in furthering the democratic transformation of the country.  Accountable, civilian-led democracy is critical for the stability of Pakistan, the region and the wider world.  I support the establishment of a Task Force to take forward this issue; I welcome Turkey’s offer to facilitate the cooperation process; and I encourage partnerships and joint initiatives by members of the Friends Group towards that end.

The United Nations is committed to more regular and sustained dialogue with the Government of Pakistan, and I look forward to the establishment of further mechanisms for this purpose.  In that spirit of partnership, please accept my best wishes for a productive meeting.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record