PM to highlight efforts to end US-Iran war at UNGA

• Bangladesh assumes presidency as General Assembly formally opens in New York • Trump to speak on opening day; PM Shehbaz’s speech on 25th; Pezeshkian’s attendance ‘not yet confirmed’ • Renewal on the cards as tenure of panel monitoring Iran sanctions expires during UNGA session WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is due to arrive in New York later this month for the UN General Assembly, where he is expected to highlight Pakistan’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing US-Iran war. PM Shehbaz is slated to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25, where the Gulf conflict is expected to overshadow much of the high-level debate.

The official theme of the 81st session is ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All’, and the UNGA debate is expected to run from Sept 22 to 26, with a final sitting on Sept 28. However, ongoing fighting between Washington and Tehran is expected to feature prominently in discussions among world leaders, particularly over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, regional stability and the possibility of finding a diplomatic way out of the confrontation. The participation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also emerging as a key question ahead of the high-level week. Iran is listed on the tentative speakers’ schedule as the fifth speaker on Sept 23, the second day of the UNGA debate, but a final decision on whether he will travel to New York or not, has not yet been made. Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran is still assessing the level of participation and attendance, citing what they describe as “illegal conditions” imposed by Washington on the Iranian delegation’s travel and attendance. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the…