Online Desk: Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York on Monday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders have gathered for the high-level General Debate.

The Prime Minister landed with a small delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. He was received by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.

The high-level week of the UNGA, being held from September 22 to 26 and on September 28, opened with the theme Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All. Sharif attended the opening session which was addressed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and US President Donald Trump.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif will address the General Assembly on September 25. In his speech, he will present Pakistan’s position on the evolving regional and global security situation, stressing dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The Prime Minister is expected to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and promote stability, while outlining national priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia and global economic challenges. He will also draw international attention to the issues of Kashmir and Palestine.

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Sharif has lined up an intense round of diplomacy. He is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several heads of state and government and with the UN Secretary General. He will also attend high-level meetings on climate action and development and is expected to join a reception hosted by President Trump for world leaders.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who reached New York earlier, has already begun his engagements, meeting counterparts from France, the European Union and Egypt to discuss bilateral and multilateral issues.