New york: Pakistan has said that the United Nations Security Council's Annual Report for 2025 has highlighted the continued relevance of long-standing disputes including the Question of Palestine and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
This was stated by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while speaking during the presentation of the Security Council's Annual Report to the General Assembly.
The Ambassador said Pakistan believes that durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination promised to them by the Security Council and the international community.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the General Assembly's consideration of the Security Council's Annual Report, pursuant to Article 24 (3) of the Charter, is an important mechanism through which the wider membership reviews the Council's performance in discharging its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It enhances transparency, accountability and institutional dialogue between the Council and the broader UN membership.
He said that as President of the Council in July 2025, Pakistan was entrusted with coordinating and drafting the introduction to this report. Our objective was to produce a substantive and analytical document that accurately reflects the Council's work, outcomes and the challenges.
He said that in preparing the report, Pakistan followed an open, constructive, and inclusive approach. In line with Presidential Note 507 and GA resolution 79/327, and in coordination with your office Madam President, an informal meeting of UN Member States was convened on 16 January 2026. The exchange was candid and forward-looking, and the views shared by Member States were adequately taken into account, which contributed significantly to the quality of the report.
He said that consistent with Member States' recommendations, we worked to conclude negotiations on the introductory section at an early stage. Through the constructive engagement of all Council members, including the five outgoing members agreement was reached in early February. We also express our sincere appreciation to the Secretariat, particularly the Security Council Affairs Division, for their professionalism, dedicated support and editorial advice throughout this process.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the report shows that in 2025 the Council remained actively engaged in addressing a wide range of issues relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, including multiple crises and conflicts across Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, South Asia, Europe, Latin America and other regions.
He said that the Council devoted significant attention to thematic issues, including strengthening multilateralism with the UN at its center, the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the pacific settlement of disputes, future of UN peace operations, women and peace and security, and cooperation with regional and subregional organizations.
He said that despite heightened geopolitical tensions and divisions, the Council continued to play a central role in promoting stability, supporting peace processes and reinforcing multilateral cooperation. The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788, sponsored by Pakistan, reflected a shared commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and the fuller utilization of Charter's mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the report highlights the continued relevance of long-standing disputes on the Security Council's agenda, including the Question of Palestine and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which have implications for regional and international peace and security, and which must be resolved in accordance with international legitimacy and the Council's own resolutions.
He said that during the reporting period, more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan Question were brought to the attention of the Security Council. The Council also held closed consultations under this agenda item in May 2025. This underscores that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council's agenda for more than seven decades, continues to engage its attention. Pakistan believes that durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination promised to them by the Security Council and the international community.
He said that the continuing tragedy in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza remained high on the Council's agenda. After repeated failures to halt the bloodshed, the Council adopted resolution 2803, endorsing the Gaza Peace Plan and offering a ray of hope. It is imperative that resolution 2803 be implemented fully and faithfully. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, for an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the report also underscores the indispensable role of United Nations peace operations and special political missions. Pakistan is committed to strengthening peacekeeping and ensuring that peace operations are effective, adequately resourced and responsive to evolving challenges.
He said that in 2025, the Council faced an unprecedented delay in the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of its subsidiary bodies, thus impacting both its functioning and effectiveness. Unfortunately, the same situation persists this year. This underscores the need to improve the working methods and selection process. The Council should make this process more transparent, efficient and predictable and we continue our efforts in this regard.
Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that as penholder of the introduction to this year's annual report, we exerted our best efforts into making this report as comprehensive, objective and analytical as possible - and that could be approved as a consensus product of the Security Council. As such there is always room for improvement. This is an ongoing and collective effort.
He said that Pakistan also reiterates the importance of strengthening the relationship between the Security Council and the General Assembly. As the most representative organ of the UN, the General Assembly plays a vital role in safeguarding the legitimacy of multilateral decision-making. Greater transparency, accountability and interaction between the two organs are essential to ensuring that the Council remains responsive to the concerns and priorities of the wider membership. The Council's elected members play an important role in that regard.
He said that the challenges confronting the international community underscore the need for a more democratic, representative and accountable multilateral system. The use of veto remained a concern among Member States that is why we believe that efforts to reform the Security Council and improve its working methods must be guided by the principles of accountability, equity, inclusiveness, transparency and consensus. It is clear that expansion of individual permanent members and veto run counter to these shared objectives. We are committed to a comprehensive reform of the Security Council that corresponds to the interest of the large majority of member states, not just a few. Reform for all, privilege for none.