Pakistani premier urges international cooperation to combat terrorism, climate change, inequality

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged international cooperation to combat terrorism and climate change and resolve global conflicts peacefully.

Addressing an international forum in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Sharif emphasized the critical need for global cooperation to ensure peace, stability, and sustainable development.

“Let us move from zero-sum mindsets to purposeful cooperation, invest in connectivity as bridges for people and ideas, resolve disputes peacefully, and reaffirm our commitment to the UN Charter,” he said.

Sharif also thanked Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran for their sincere efforts to mediate with Afghanistan following recent clashes between the two neighbors.

"We are very grateful to our brotherly countries, Türkiye, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve a ceasefire, which, as I speak, is still very fragile,” he said.

The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, including the Gaza Peace Plan, and emphasized the importance of protecting the Palestinian and Kashmiri people's rights.

The forum in Ashgabat is being held to mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality and the UN General Assembly's designation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust.”

Sharif attended the ceremony alongside other invited heads of state and government, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.