Paris: Pakistan beat India in an election at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) executive board for the position of vice chair last week.
“Pakistan has been elected, with overwhelming support, as Vice Chair of UNESCO Executive Board (term 2023-25) from the Asia Pacific Group at the ExB Session.
Grateful to all members for their trust and support. Is deeply committed to cooperative multilateralism and looks forward to working together with all members to promote our common objectives and to defend shared values and UNESCO principles,” said Pakistan’s foreign ministry in a post on social media platform X.
Islamabad’s candidate received 38 votes, while India’s received 18, according to various Pakistani media reports.
Pakistan has been elected, with overwhelming support, as Vice Chair of UNESCO Executive Board (term 2023-25) from Asia Pacific Group at the ExB Session. Grateful to all members for their trust and support. 🇵🇰 is deeply committed to cooperative multilateralism and looks forward to… pic.twitter.com/Bd1YRuiIJy
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) November 24, 2023
Indian diplomats at the UN are facing a major setback after Pakistan was elected vice chair of UNESCO’s Executive Board in 2023-2025.
With 58 member states and a four-year term, the UN Executive Board administers the body and appoints its director-general. Along with the 194-member General Conference and the Secretariat, it is one of UNESCO’s three constitutional organs.
What is the role of Vice-Chairpersons?
There are six Vice-Chairpersons from each electoral group. In the absence of the Chairperson during a session, their functions are exercised in turn by the Vice-Chairpersons.
Generally, a Chairperson is responsible for directing the discussions, ensuring the observance of Rules of Procedure and accords to the right to speak, among other responsibilities.
