It was a big win for Pakistan when it was selected to preside over the UN Economic and Social Council. Pakistani ambassador to UN, Munir Akram became the president and led a steady but effective approach.
Equality and Justice
Munir Akram addressed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-16 meeting in headquarters of the UN Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) in Bangkok. Akram called for policies and actions to fight inequality and bring justice to the world.
SDGs require the expansion and spread of writ of justice and equality to promote peace and prosperity around the world. Understanding this fact, Munir called for rightful implementation not only on the international but most importantly on national level. He requested the UN to help countries with trembling judicial system or post-war effects. Munir Akram suggested compensating and assisting them to better their equality and justice system.
He said “Justice flows from equality; injustice from inequality, discrimination and lack of fairness in policy and practice”. Moreover, he pointed out that the same issue exists in developed and modern countries. Issues like racism, immigrant harassment, ethnic cleansing employing judicial loopholes are still a fact and must be addressed.
He called for the implementation of the UN charter that guarantees basic human rights. This eventually leads to justice as one of its criteria is; serving justice as a basic human right
However, the government often calls such moves ‘interference in their national matter’. The UN charter that calls for; non-violent approach, respect of minorities, territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and exercise of the right of self-determination by peoples. Some countries often find it hard to agree with all of these.
COVID-19 Effects
Subsequently, while discussing peace, security, equality and justice, all these factors were important since the start of 2020 when COVID hit the global life. It affected the economy, political stability of many, peace and security issues in several countries. Most importantly, it saw the inequality and injustice between the rich and the poor, not only on a national level but also on international level.
To view this in terms of vaccine distribution; according to observations, rich countries got most of the vaccine share and sanction underdeveloped countries of Asia, South America, and Africa from manufacturing their own local vaccines. Furthermore, according to Vox news, around 16% of the global population got over half of the world’s manufactured vaccines. This included majority of Europe and North America.
Munir Akram raised this inequality and injustice. He questioned the global injustice under his leadership as president of ECOSCO.
