Pakistan issued a stark caution to the global community on Tuesday, declaring that the core principles governing international relations are under an “unprecedented strain” and calling for an urgent recommitment to multilateralism and cooperative security.
Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged nations to ‘rekindle the spirit of Helsinki’ by prioritizing dialogue, diplomacy, and confidence-building measures over confrontation.
He warned that the pursuit of hegemony and military domination cannot ensure comprehensive and lasting security. The ambassador stressed that cooperation remains the most effective and sustainable path to achieving global peace and stability.
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted the importance of confidence- and security-building measures as a strategic necessity to reduce international tensions and fortify communication channels between states. He underscored the continued relevance of the Helsinki Final Act, noting its principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution remain vital in today’s complex security environment.
The Pakistani envoy acknowledged the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for its role in fostering dialogue and promoting peace. He described the OSCE’s efforts in Eastern Europe as a useful model for other regional organizations grappling with trust and security deficits.
Pakistan also reaffirmed its strong backing for enhanced partnerships between the United Nations and regional bodies like the OSCE. Ambassador Ahmad stressed that such collaborations, consistent with the UN Charter, can effectively leverage complementary strengths in conflict prevention and post-conflict stabilization.
In a direct appeal to the Security Council, he advocated for inclusive security arrangements instead of bloc-based approaches. The ambassador concluded by urging collective efforts to uphold a just and rules-based global order founded on multilateralism, imploring the world to choose cooperation over confrontation.