New York (Web Desk): Pakistan has been re-elected as member of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) after polling the highest number of votes.
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi said the re-election was a recognition of Islamabad’s positive contribution to the work of the world body.
In secret balloting in the 54-member ECOSOC, the economic arm of the UN, Pakistan secured 48 votes to retain its seat on 18-member Commission on Narcotic Drugs for a term beginning on January 1, 2020 and expiring on December 31, 2023.
“We are humbled by the support we received from all regions of the world," Lodhi said, adding, "Pakistan’s strong showing in this election is an indication of the confidence of the international community in our country and its role and record in multilateral bodies.
Pakistan has served the commission which was established in 1946, continuously since 2008, assisting the United Nations in supervising the application of international drug control treaties.
It also made substantive contributions during negotiations on the draft outcome document of the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem.
In 2017, the Commission at its 60th-anniversary session, adopted by consensus, Pakistan’s resolution entitled “Strengthening International Cooperation to assist the States” most affected by the illicit transit of drugs, especially developing countries, based on the principle of common and shared responsibility.
