Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday joined world leaders at the opening of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.

The prime minister, who arrived in New York late Monday night, will also attend a special summit of Arab and Islamic countries co-hosted by the United States and Qatar.

The summit will be attended by US President Donald Trump.

Pakistan, Austria to boost cooperation

During the day, the premier met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

PM Shehbaz and the Austrian chancellor expressed their desire to further enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors.

The premier highlighted trade, tourism, climate change and education as possible avenues of positive collaboration and stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade ties.

The Austrian chancellor thanked the prime minister for the meeting and also conveyed his desire to work together to create new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to exchange delegations to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries.

PM, Kuwaiti Crown Prince vow to boost trade ties

In his meeting with the Kuwaiti crown prince, the PM expressed Pakistan’s keen desire to deepen bilateral relations with Kuwait, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, livestock, manpower export, and health.

The prime minister held a warm and cordial meeting with Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait.

Sharif recalled the longstanding, historic fraternal ties between the two countries and conveyed his respects and good wishes for the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

He thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for its solidarity with Pakistan during the devastating floods.

The prime minister also said Pakistan looked forward to welcoming the crown prince on an official visit later this year, with dates being finalised through diplomatic channels.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the Middle East.

The crown prince lauded Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to highlight the plight of Palestinians and its constructive role in promoting peace.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation bilaterally and at multilateral forums.

During his stay in New York, the PM will also hold meetings with World Bank President Ajay Banga and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

He will also participate and address the high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on the theme “Recommit to our Original Aspirations, United to Build a Brighter Future of Global Development”.