Prime Minister Imran Khan will virtually address the United Nations General Assembly’s 76th session on September 24 in which he would focus on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and Kashmir issue.

This year's theme is "Building resilience through hope - to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainability, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalize the United Nations" a report on APP said Monday.

Speaking about Friday's session Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram noted how the world confronts multiple challenges - the COVID-19 pandemic, its devastating impact on the economies of developing countries and ever growing threat of frequent climate disasters. He said these threats coincide with rising tensions between the great powers, particularly the US and China, a new arms race and persisting and proliferating conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and other regions of the world.

"It is expected that the focus of the General Assembly's discussions will be on these global issues and on certain conflict situations," the Pakistan envoy said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will participate in person in several events being held during the assembly’s high-level week including a meeting of the OIC Working Group on Jammu and Kashmir, a Ministerial meeting of the Uniting for Consensus group on Security Council reform, and a high level meeting on Energy.

Despite US requests that member states send pre-recorded messages to curb the spread of the coronavirus, 83 heads of state, 43 prime ministers, three deputy prime ministers and 23 foreign ministers are scheduled to address the General Assembly in person.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to speak on September 25, a day after he participates in the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC hosted by President Biden on September 24.

PM speech 2020

In his speech last year, delivered virtually, Khan warned "voiced deep concern over rising religious hatred, increased nationalism and worsening global tensions, factors that have accentuated ‘Islamophobia’, resulting in attacks against Muslims in many countries."

He also spoke of the threats posed by climate change and said Pakistan hoped to blant billion trees in the next three years.