Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart from Beijing on Tuesday for New York to participate in UN meetings, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In New York, Dar is set to participate in the United Nations Security Council’s open debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System.”

The debate will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“Pakistan welcomes this timely initiative by China, which highlights the importance of strengthening multilateralism and upholding the central role of the United Nations in addressing today’s complex global challenges,” the ministry’s press release stated.

On Thursday, Dar is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Group of Friends on Global Governance. The theme of the meeting is “Reforming and Improving Global Governance, Working Together to Address Global Challenges.”

The group comprises 43 countries — including China, Pakistan and Palestine among others — and was formed in December last year. It was established as a platform to mobilise joint efforts to improve the global governance system.

Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and senior UN officials, the foreign ministry said.

“Pakistan remains a steadfast supporter of multilateralism and stands ready to contribute constructively to collective efforts for global peace, security, and development,” the foreign ministry press release stated.