Pakistan has called for collective approach to tackle diverse challenges in West Africa and Sahel region.

Delivering the national statement during the Security Council briefing Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the presence of Al-Qaeda affiliates, the Islamic State–Sahel Province (IS) and Jama'a Nusratul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) is worrisome. 

He also called for greater caution and vigilance against other security threats, including armed conflict, civil unrest, transnational organized crimes, including illicit trafficking and irregular migration, which, he said, are also likely to negatively impact countries beyond the region.

Asim Iftikhar mentioned Pakistan’s close fraternal ties with countries in West Africa and the Sahel region and said we take pride in our contribution to UN’s successful endeavours to restore peace in several countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire.