New York (TDI): During the Fifth Committee of UN General Assembly on adopting financing resolution on the revised estimates on Islamophobia, Pakistan successfully managed a consensus on the Resolution to appoint Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia.
The New Office of the Special Envoy will become functional from April 1st 2025.
Since the annual observance of International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, Pakistan has been keen on making this appointment happen. It was one of Pakistan Mission’s top agenda for this year’s observance.
In his message on the Day, the former Permanent Representative Ambassador Munir Akram signaled that the Secretary General will appoint a Special Envoy.
During the Fifth Committee, Pakistan officially moved the Resolution and managed to lobby successfully in securing consensus of all members.
The Fifth Committee unanimously agrees to appoint Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia
Pakistan has managed to secure consensus in the Fifth Committee of UN General Assembly on adopting financing resolution on the revised estimates on Islamophobia.… pic.twitter.com/g5zhsetwrP
— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) March 28, 2025
Delivering the national statement at the closing meeting of the first part of the 79th UNGA session, Jibran Khan Durrani, First Secretary at the Pakistan Mission, expressed gratitude to the OIC member states, G77 and China, as well as other partners for their support in achieving a consensual outcome on the resolution.
He noted the symbolic significance of the resolution being negotiated and concluded during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Read More: UN to Appoint Special Envoy for Countering Islamophobia
Pakistan played a leading role as a key negotiator in the Fifth Committee discussions. Three years ago, in 2022, it lobbied extensively at the UN for the adoption of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
March 15 is the date when Christchurch Mosque shootings in New Zealand took the lives of fifty one Muslims, who had gathered for Friday prayers, in 2019.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
