ISLAMABAD: A two-day Preparatory Meeting of the forthcoming United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial under the theme of “Safety and Security of UN Peacekeepers” is being held in Islamabad on Wednesday. According to Foreign Office, Pakistan is hosting this international event, while Japan is co-host of the meeting. The Foreign Minister and the Defence Minister of Pakistan will deliver keynote addresses at the Preparatory Meeting.

Member States represented in the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, comprising 156 countries, will participate along with local and international experts. Panel discussions will be held during the two-day meeting on various sub-themes to deliberate on capacity-building needs, safety and security of UN peacekeepers.

The meeting will also feature an expert talk on the threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices and a briefing on the system of pledging. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is an active player in the field of UN peacekeeping, both at the policy and operational levels.

Pakistan is among the largest troop contributors and, since 1960, has contributed over 230,000 men and women peacekeepers to 46 UN peacekeeping missions in almost all continents of the world. One hundred and seventy two Pakistani peacekeepers made the ultimate sacrifice by sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

Pakistan’s hosting of the Preparatory Meeting signifies its continued commitment to UN Peacekeeping aimed at maintaining security and stability in various conflict zones.