Pakistan, Italy review bilateral, multilateral cooperation on UNGA sidelines
Liaquat Ali
Islamabad: Pakistan and Italy have reviewed their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, with particular focus on upcoming engagements and their shared position on reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said on X this week that he held a meeting with Riccardo Guariglia, Secretary General of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Describing the meeting as an opportunity for a useful exchange of views, Ambassador Asim said the two sides discussed the solid foundation of Pakistan-Italy cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral spheres.
The meeting comes ahead of a series of forthcoming bilateral engagements between Pakistan and Italy, providing an opportunity for the two sides to review areas of mutual interest and further coordinate on issues of common concern.
Pakistan and Italy maintain relations across a range of areas, including political and diplomatic cooperation, trade, investment, development, education and people-to-people contacts. Their engagement at the United Nations also provides a platform for coordination on broader international issues.
An important aspect of their multilateral cooperation is their participation in the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group, a coalition of countries that has advocated an alternative approach to reforming the UN Security Council.
The UfC group has generally supported expanding representation on the Security Council through additional non-permanent seats rather than creating new permanent seats. Pakistan and Italy have worked together within the group as part of the wider debate over the future structure and representation of the UN’s principal body for maintaining international peace and security.
The meeting between the two senior diplomats in New York underscores the continued importance both countries attach to coordination at multilateral forums, particularly as discussions on global governance and Security Council reform remain prominent on the UN agenda.
The talks also provided an opportunity to prepare the ground for forthcoming bilateral contacts, with both sides expected to continue engaging on issues aimed at strengthening Pakistan-Italy relations.