Pakistan Takes Its Seat at UNSC as Non-Permanent Member for the Eighth Time

Pakistan’s national flag was officially displayed outside the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) chamber on Thursday, marking the country’s commencement of its eighth term as a non-permanent member for the 2025-26 period.

Pakistan, elected in June to replace Japan, now holds one of the two Asia-Pacific seats on the 15-member UNSC. The country’s tenure on the Council began on Wednesday, with a significant leadership role in July 2025, when Pakistan will have the opportunity to preside over the Council and shape its agenda.

This marks Pakistan’s eighth participation on the Council, which presents both opportunities and challenges to influence key international issues. As part of the joining ceremony, the flags of the five new non-permanent members — Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia — were placed at the UNSC’s stakeout at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The new members replace Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland, whose terms ended on December 31, 2024.

Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, was responsible for installing the flag during the ceremony.

In addition to its Council membership, Pakistan will join the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which designates individuals and groups as terrorists while imposing sanctions.

The UNSC consists of 15 members, with five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats are allocated by geographic regions, with five members replaced annually.

The Security Council is the most influential UN body, tasked with maintaining global peace and security. It can make binding decisions, enforce sanctions, and authorize military actions when necessary.

Ambassador Ahmad emphasized that Pakistan would continue to follow the core principles of the UN Charter, advocating for peace, security, and equal rights. He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting self-determination for oppressed peoples.

Speaking at the UNSC ceremony, Ahmad called for cooperative multilateralism to address current challenges, emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy, and confidence-building to reduce global tensions.

Pakistan plans to work alongside other Council members to pursue peaceful solutions, from conflict prevention to peacekeeping efforts, to ensure long-lasting peace and stability. The Pakistani representative affirmed Pakistan’s dedication to upholding the UN Charter and international law in all circumstances.

“We are resolute in our duty towards the millions suffering from conflict and are committed to working towards a more secure and peaceful world,” Ahmad concluded.

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