The Pakistani national flag was installed in front of the United Nations Security Council chamber on Thursday, as the country began its eighth term as a non-permanent member (2025-26) of the 15-member body.

As part of the joining ceremony, flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members – Pakistan, along with Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia – were installed at UNSC’s stakeout at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The new members replaced Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland whose terms ended on December 31, 2024.

Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, installed the national flag as part of the impressive ceremony.

In his brief remarks, he said that Pakistan would continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter including the maintenance of international peace and security and the development of friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination.

“Pakistan will always remain a strong voice for peoples under foreign occupation and oppression and for the realization of their right to self-determination,” Ambassador Ahmad said.

Pakistan, he said, was convinced that cooperative multilateralism - with the UN at its core – was the “best way of tackling today’s multifaceted challenges.”

He said: “We need to earnestly address the root causes of long-outstanding and new conflicts, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, and support confidence building at regional and global levels - to reduce tensions, arrest the arms race, and enable an environment conducive for peace, stability and development.”

The ambassador went on to add that the country would partner with fellow members to pursue “just and peaceful solutions” to the issues on the council’s agenda, and strive to make optimal use of the tools at our disposal - from conflict prevention to peacekeeping to peacebuilding - to achieve durable peace.

“Our success lies in upholding the UN Charter and international law under all circumstances, and in ensuring effective implementation of the Security Council’s own decisions,” Ahmad said.

“Never forgetting our solemn duty towards the millions of men, women and children suffering in conflicts, Pakistan is assuming this responsibility, fully resolved to our collective endeavour for a more peaceful and secure world.”

Pakistan will preside over the 15-member Council in July when it assumes its presidency according to alphabetical rotation of the member states’ official names.

In addition to this, Pakistan will get a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is responsible for designating individuals and groups as terrorists and imposing sanctions.

The UNSC has 15 members, five of which - Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States - are permanent ones. The 10 non-permanent seats of the Council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The Security Council is considered to be the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, which is tasked to maintain international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force against states.

The tradition of the flag installation ceremony was introduced by Kazakhstan in 2018.

Kazakhstan’s permanent representative, Kairat Umarov, who presided over the ceremony, voiced confidence that the five new council members will bring much depth and focus to the pressing issues of global peace and security.

“As we begin a new year, it is clear that the global situation continues to be marked by numerous challenges and crisis, from ongoing conflicts and humanitarian calamities to the negative impacts of climate change and the pandemic.”