Outgoing UN chief lauds Pakistan’s mediation role in US-Iran conflict
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday commended Pakistan’s leadership “in helping to create the conditions for dialogue between the United States and Iran and mediating the conflict.”
“Your efforts helped deliver the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire, and the framework for future negotiations,” he said during a joint press conference in Islamabad with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Guterres stated that “every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role.”
The UN chief added that “from Islamabad, I went to send a loud and clear message to all parties: end the conflict, return to diplomacy.”
“Fully restore navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law. And let’s not forget, there will never be peace in the region until the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is fully realised, as Pakistan has long championed,” he added.
Addressing members of the media, Guterres stated that “Pakistan’s contribution has been on full display as a member of the UN Security Council these past two years.”
“At a time of growing division and mistrust around the world, Pakistan put a spotlight on the value of multilateralism, dialogue, mediation, and diplomacy. Those same values are vital within societies as well,” he said.
Saying that Pakistan was “one of the world’s longstanding and largest contributors to the UN’s peacekeeping,” Guterres noted the importance of “inclusive institutions, respect for human rights, and a vibrant civic space”, which he said were “necessary to help strengthen social cohesion, build trust, and enable people to contribute fully to their country’s future.”
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The secretary general stated that “Pakistani women and men have served with courage and distinction in some of the most difficult and dangerous environments,” adding that “more than 180 brave Pakistani souls gave their lives in the service of peace.”
“We honour their sacrifice,” he said.
Guterres also stated that he was “particularly grateful for Pakistan’s leadership with Denmark on Security Council Resolution 2823, which strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.” He noted that 153 countries had co-sponsored the resolution, which was the largest number of co-sponsors for a Security Council resolution in UN history.
Further, Guterres said that Pakistan had “endured immense suffering,” noting that “thousands of people lost their lives” and reaffirming that the UN stood with Islamabad “in confronting this threat of terrorism.”
“My message is the same everywhere in the world: addressing terrorism and legitimate security concerns is necessary and indispensable,” he said. According to the UN secretary-general, “the strongest and most effective security is guaranteed under international law, human rights, and the rule of law.”
Discussing climate change, Guterres recalled his last visit to Pakistan during the “catastrophic floods” of 2022. “I will never forget the utter devastation I saw,” he said. He added, however, “I also saw the resilience, determination, and solidarity of the Pakistani people.”
The UN chief noted, “Pakistan is on the front lines of climate chaos, despite contributing only a tiny fraction of global emissions,” he added that Islamabad was “also on the front lines of the response, from Pakistan’s leadership in establishing a loss and damage fund to its growing clean energy transition at home.” However, he stated that “leadership from vulnerable developing countries cannot substitute for responsibility from developed countries,” calling for a “drastic reduction of those emissions this decade.”
“The principle of common, differentiated responsibilities must apply, but all countries must do their part,” Guterres urged. He particularly called on developed countries to “respect their commitments, namely those established in COP 29 in Baku, and deliver the finance, technology, and support developing countries need to build resilience and accelerate a just transition.”
Concluding his address, Guterres stated, “Pakistan faces challenges, as all nations do,” noting, however, that what has always stood out to him “is the resilience of the Pakistani people and their determination to build a better future.”
“I am here to further strengthen our partnership and to reaffirm a simple message: the United Nations stands with the people of Pakistan and we thank the Pakistani people for standing up for the world,” he said.
FM Dar, during his address, thanked the UN chief for his “leadership and his principled commitment to multilateralism, international law, dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.” According to FM Dar, Guterres had “been a great friend of Pakistan.”
“We will never forget the secretary general’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2022 and his efforts to mobilise international support for recovery and reconstruction,” FM Dar said, extending gratitude on part of the people of Pakistan.
FM Dar added that he had a “very useful and productive bilateral meeting” with Guterres, noting that the two had “an extensive and candid exchange of views covering an entire range of issues of importance to Pakistan and the United Nations vis-a-vis the global current challenges.” These included, according to the foreign minister, international regional peace and security, West Asia, the Middle East and Palestine, South Asia, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, terrorism, the future of peacekeeping, sustainable development, climate change, and the future of multilateralism.
“We also reviewed the broad spectrum of Pakistan-UN cooperation and our ongoing contribution to the work of the organisation,” FM Dar said.
He noted further that Pakistan was currently an elected member of the Security Council. “During our tenure, we have made, rather we have tried to make significant contributions to international peace and security with particular emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful settlement of disputes,” he said.
He added that Islamabad’s “initiative on Security Council Resolution 2788 on strengthening multilateralism and mechanism for the peaceful settlement of disputes is a reflection of the approach of Pakistan in this regard.”
The foreign minister noted that the “unanimous adoption of that resolution reaffirmed the importance of negotiation, mediation, preventive diplomacy,” extending gratitude to Guterres for his “engagement with the follow-up to the resolution, including the participation and presentation of solid recommendations in the open debate held in July this year.”
According to FM Dar, “Pakistan also values the secretary general’s readiness to extend his good offices in situations where dialogue and diplomacy can help reduce tensions and create space for peaceful solutions,” adding that this was “particularly relevant at a time when the international community is confronted with multiple conflicts and crises.”
“Pakistan believes the United Nations must remain at the centre of international efforts to address these challenges and that diplomacy must be given every opportunity to succeed,” FM Dar stated. He highlighted Pakistan’s “proactive and constructive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation in the Gulf region.” The foreign minister noted Islamabad’s appreciation for Guterres’ “support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts and his recognition of the importance of diplomatic engagement.”
“Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue is consistent with our broader approach at the United Nations, which is to promote cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over conflict, and peaceful settlement over the use of force,” FM Dar said. He also noted Guterres’ initiatives “aimed at strengthening the multilateral system,” citing “The Pact for the Future, adopted by the General Assembly in 2024,” which he said provided “an important framework for renewed international cooperation and for addressing the challenges of our time.”
Discussing the UN’s role in the international community, FM Dar noted, “We believe that efforts to strengthen the organisation must reinforce its ability to deliver on its core mandates while ensuring that the priorities and concerns of developing countries remain central.”
He also noted that at a time of “growing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, humanitarian crises, climate vulnerabilities, and economic pressures, we need stronger, effective, inclusive, and representative multilateralism.”
“Pakistan will continue to work closely with the United Nations and with Member States to advance this objective,” he said.
FM Dar expressed gratitude to Guterres for his “continued attention to issues of particular importance to Pakistan, including regional peace and stability, counter-terrorism, climate vulnerability, and development challenges.” This included, according to the foreign minister, “the UN’s consistent position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
He added that he also briefed Guterres “on India’s unilateral move of holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which is a blatant violation of international law,” highlighting the need “to ensure that India stops weaponising water and fulfils its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty.”
FM Dar “also highlighted Pakistan’s deep concern at the continued use of Afghan soil for carrying out terrorist attacks against Pakistan,” expressing hope that “the Office of the Secretary-General and the international community at large will help address these challenges.”
He concluded by commending Guterres’ “stellar leadership during his tenure and for his contribution to strengthening the United Nations during a particularly challenging period for the international community.”
Earlier in the day, FM Dar met Guterres in Islamabad and discussed regional and global issues relating to peace and security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Tuesday.
According to the post on X, MoFA said, discussions covered “Palestine, Jammu and Kashmir, Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and the future of multilateralism.”
“Dar briefed the UN secretary-general on Pakistan’s positions on Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, reaffirming Pakistan’s call for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” the ministry said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met UN Secretary-General António Guterres @antonioguterres in Islamabad. Discussions covered regional and global issues relating to peace and security, including Palestine, Jammu & Kashmir,… pic.twitter.com/c82AecZRef
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 6, 2026
The statement further said the deputy prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation, including its facilitation of the Islamabad Talks between the US and Iran.
FM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the most effective means of resolving disputes, according to the ministry.
“The UN secretary-general appreciated Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the UN, as well as its diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue, mediation and de-escalation,” the statement said.
FM Dar warmly received Guterres at the MoFA at the start of his official visit to Pakistan, the ministry added.
DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 warmly received UN Secretary-General H.E. @antonioguterres at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the start of his official visit to Pakistan.
The two will shortly hold talks on Pakistan–UN cooperation and regional and international… pic.twitter.com/WRiGSYGaD0
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 6, 2026
Earlier, UN chief Guterres arrived in Islamabad for an official visit to Pakistan, the Foreign Office (FO) said.
According to the post on X, the FO said the “UN chief arrived in Islamabad today to undertake an official visit to Pakistan from October 6-8, 2026, at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.”
“Upon arrival, the Secretary-General was received by Acting Foreign Secretary Ambassador Nabeel Munir,” the ministry added.Read More