PM Shehbaz arrives in New York to attend 81st UNGA session amid Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York on Monday to represent Pakistan at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), amid the Middle East crisis that threatens to embroil more countries. The high-level segment of the 81st UNGA will be held from September 22 to 26 and on September 28, with this year's general debate theme set by the newly elected president as 'Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all'. The PM Office said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi would also accompany the premier during the visit. Read: FM Dar arrives in New York for United Nations General Assembly session The prime minister will address the UNGA on September 25. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrives in New York to attend the 81st session of United Nations General Assembly. New York, 21 September, 2026. pic.twitter.com/6Z8t111KEf — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 21, 2026 In his address, the premier will present Pakistan's stance on the evolving regional and global security landscape, emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. PM Shehbaz will highlight Pakistan's active diplomatic and mediation efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and promote peace and stability, while also outlining the country's priorities regarding key global issues such as sustainable development, climate change, the fight against terrorism, Islamophobia, and global economic challenges. Read More: PM trims UN delegation under austerity The premier will also draw the international community's attention to the issues of long-standing occupation and the denial of the right to self-determination in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine. Prime Minister @CMShehbaz arrives in New York to attend the 81st session of United Nations General Assembly@ForeignOfficePk @PakPMO@UN#UNGA #RadioPakistan pic.twitter.com/WpDzFIeFMM — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) September 21, 2026 On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the prime minister will participate in various high-level meetings concerning development, climate action, and other significant matters, where he will present Pakistan's position. He will also hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary-general. The Pakistani delegation was significantly streamlined as part of the government's austerity measures, and several federal ministers who had initially been expected to travel had been dropped from the trip, according to sources at the country's UN mission. Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Climate Change and Environment Dr Musadik Malik and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal were among those not attending, the sources added. US President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are among the leaders set to address the General Assembly on the opening day. According to the UN's programme, the opening session will begin at 9am on September 22. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be the first speaker, followed by President Trump. Nearly 130 heads of state will meet in New York as the post-World War Two order comes under strain, and the UN struggles to remain relevant while weathering attacks from Trump, who has long expressed disdain ​for the institution and has slashed US funding for many of its agencies.

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