Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal to pay week-long visit to US

Islamabad: Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will travel to the United States from December 14 to 21 for multiple multilateral and bilateral engagements in New York and Washington DC.

In New York, the Pakistani foreign minister will meet with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and participate in a high-level debate at the UN Security Council on the theme of “Maintenance of International Peace and Security” to be held on 14 December 2022.

On December 15-16 also in New York, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will host and chair the ministerial conference of the G-77 and China, the largest negotiating bloc of developing countries within the UN system.

The conference agenda includes discussion on multiple challenges facing the developing countries in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the face of COVID-19 pandemic, climate-induced disasters and geopolitical developments.

During the visit, Pakistani and United States officials will discuss bilateral and regional issues particularly in areas of trade, investment, climate resilience and economic development.

In Washington DC, Pakistani foreign minister will hold meetings with high-level government officials, congressional leaders, Pakistani-American businessmen, and community members. He will also engage with foreign media and think-tank.

The United States visits comes after foreign minister Bilawal’s official trip to Singapore and Indonesia this month where he emphasised the need for steady progress in multi-dimensional bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in diverse fields.