Pakistan advocates for mediation as ultimate bridge between confrontation and peace

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2026) Pakistan has called for upholding mediation as part of efforts to settle protracted international disputes in accordance with UN resolutions so as to deliver justice and durable peace.

"Mediation must begin early," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, told the UN General Assembly on Monday.

Speaking in a debate on 'Strengthening the Role of Mediation in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Conflict Prevention and Resolution', he said the U.N. should invest more in early warning, quiet diplomacy, preventive engagement, the Secretary-General’s good offices, and the use of Chapter VI (pacific settlement of conflicts) before disputes lead to confrontation.

"For Pakistan, peaceful settlement of disputes is a cornerstone of our foreign policy, and a solemn obligation under the UN Charter," the Pakistan envoy said.

That belief has guided Pakistan’s diplomatic conduct, Ambassadior Asim SAhmad said, pointing out that In the recent crisis in the middle East, Pakistan stood for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

"As a friendly neighbour of Iran, a brotherly partner of the Gulf countries, and a country with longstanding ties of amity with the United States, Pakistan continues to make sincere efforts to facilitate a durable solution for regional and global peace and stability," he added.

Conflicts, the Pakistan envoy said, are often the result of diplomacy delayed, dialogue denied, and disputes left to fester. "The first responsibility of the United Nations is not merely to respond to conflicts after they erupt, but to prevent them before they consume lives, regions and generations.

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For Pakistan, he said, peaceful settlement of disputes is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, and a solemn obligation under the UN Charter.

"Mediation must become the guiding principle of prevention, not an instrument of crisis management," Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, underscoring it must be anchored in international law, including the UN Charter.

"Lasting peace cannot be built on the denial of rights, including the right to self-determination, normalization of foreign occupation, aggression and violation of treaties." he told the 193-member Assembly, while emphasizing the need for addressing the root causes of disputes.

"Protracted disputes that continue to endanger international peace and security, must be resolved in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions to deliver justice and durable peace."

"Finally," he added, "mediation requires trust and political courage. In particular, parties to a dispute must approach it not as a concession to the other side, but as a responsibility to their own people and to international peace."

"Mediation is the bridge between confrontation and peace", he Pakistani envoy said, adding it enables diplomacy to further its noble purpose to replace force with reason, silence with dialogue, and human suffering with justice.

"Pakistan will continue to uphold mediation, at the heart of our collective efforts for peaceful settlement, conflict prevention and resolution." he sas in conclusion.