Global Peace Confronted With Ever-Evolving Threats
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday highlighted the plight of Palestinians and Kashmiris, underscoring gaps in global peacekeeping efforts at the inaugural session of the 28th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centre (IAPTC) in Islamabad.
In his keynote address, General Munir emphasized that the global landscape of peace is under threat from complex and evolving challenges. “Despite the numerous peacekeeping efforts undertaken by the UN and other organizations, the suffering of innocent Kashmiris and Palestinians serves as a stark reminder that much remains to be done,” he said, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The five-day conference, hosted at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), marks the first time that Pakistan has held the IAPTC event. General Munir inaugurated the new CIPS building, which aims to further Pakistan’s contribution to global peacekeeping education and collaboration.
Jean Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, praised Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to UN peacekeeping operations, thanking the nation for hosting this important event. Lacroix acknowledged Pakistan’s vital role in peacekeeping and its consistent support of UN initiatives worldwide.
During the opening ceremony, General Munir was joined by several distinguished guests, including the UN Police Adviser, Acting Deputy Military Adviser, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, and the Rector of NUST.
The IAPTC conference, which will run through November 8, facilitates dialogue among international peacekeeping professionals on advancing training, cooperation, and response strategies amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
This year’s conference is expected to delve into key global issues, explore actionable strategies for enhancing peace operations, and reaffirm Pakistan’s leadership in fostering peace and stability worldwide.
