PM attends opening session of UNGA high-level general debate, meets world leaders

Monitoring Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday attended the opening session of the high-level general debate of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.
The welcome reception was hosted by UN Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.
The reception was held for the heads of states and governments participating in the UNGA, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the reception, the prime minister interacted with Prime Minister of New Zealand Jecinda Ardern.
UN chief warns of ‘winter of discontent’
In his opening remarks at the summit today, UN chief Guterres issued a stark warning of an upcoming “winter of global discontent” from rising prices, a warming planet, and deadly conflicts.
“Trust is crumbling, inequalities are exploding, our planet is burning. People are hurting — with the most vulnerable suffering the most.”
With global temperatures rising and a chunk of Pakistan the size of the United Kingdom recently under water, Guterres lashed out at fossil fuel companies and the “suicidal war against nature.”
“Let’s tell it like it is — our world is addicted to fossil fuels. It’s time for an intervention. We need to hold fossil fuel companies and their enablers to account,” Guterres said.
He called on all developed economies to tax profits from fossil fuels and dedicate the funds both to compensate for damage from climate change and to help people struggling with high prices.
“Polluters must pay,” the UN chief added.
PM meets world leaders
On the sidelines of the event, Shehbaz met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed bilateral ties as well as matters of regional and international importance.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar accompanied the prime minister.