NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a brief “interaction” with US President Joe Biden at a reception the US leader hosted for the world leaders gathered in New York for the 77th session of UN General Assembly, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar said.
Responding to reporters’ questions at UN Headquarters in New York, Hina Khar described the conversation as “constructive and forward-looking.”
The Pakistan-US relationship, the state minister added, was starting at a “solid footing and we don’t want to rush it.”
The minister said there was lot of sympathy and goodwill among world leaders for the flood-devastated Pakistan and now that must be converted into something concrete for the country to recover from the disaster, and build back better. “We have fully briefed the international community about the extent of damage wrought by the climate-induced floods”, she added.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his gratitude to US President Joe Biden for highlighting the need for urgent action in the wake of massive floods in Pakistan. “Thank you President Joe Biden for highlighting the plight of the flood victims in Pakistan and urging the world for an immediate response, as my country is facing the ravages of unprecedented floods,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York to participate in the High-Level General Debate of 77th Session of #UNGA
-Highlights of Day 3#PMShehbazAtUNGA#UNGA77 pic.twitter.com/7Vw45GkO8z
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 23, 2022
The prime minister stressed that the calls of stranded women and children for help need to be heeded to at international level.
In another tweet, he said, on the second day of UN General Assembly, his discussions with top officials of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank focused on making resources available within the country’s existing programmes for post-flood reconstruction. “In my other meetings with world leaders, we discussed floods, climate change and rehabilitation of flood victims,” he said.
UN chief says Pakistan deserves massive support
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has vowed to do everything possible to mobilize international support and assistance for the flood affected people in Pakistan.
He was talking to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The UN chief said Pakistan deserves full and massive support from international community to deal with the aftermaths of the devastating floods. The Prime Minister appreciated the Secretary-General’s timely visit and affirming strong solidarity with Pakistan in the wake of the climate-induced catastrophic floods.
PM, Japanese counterpart discuss bilateral ties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday here held a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida and discussed matters of mutual interest.
According to the Prime Minister Office, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
EU will come forward with new humanitarian aid
President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union will come forward with new humanitarian aid in coming weeks to support the flood affected people of Pakistan.
She stated this in a tweet after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
The EU President said she conveyed his condolences to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the victims of the terrible floods in Pakistan.
PM briefs Belgium counterpart on flood situation in Pakistan
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo on the sidelines of High-Level General Debate of the 77th Session of UN General Assembly in New York.
They discussed matters of mutual interest and flood situation in Pakistan.
USG Global Communications vows to raise voice for massive financial support to Pakistan
Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming has pledged to continue to advocate loud for massive financial support and climate justice to Pakistan.
She was talking to media along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb during her visit to the photo exhibition organized by Pakistan on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
She stressed that the world community should take immediate action on climate change and it shouldn’t abandon the countries that are not in fault in this regard and suffering the most.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said according to preliminary estimates recent flooding has incurred over 30-billion-dollar loss to the weak economy of our country.
He expressing satisfaction over the voice raised by Secretary General Antonio Guterres for helping flood affected people. The Prime Minister said Secretary General has also pledged to arrange a conference of donors for Pakistan’s economic support. He said the conference will be held in New York or Europe.
