Pakistan organised an “Arria-formula” meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday to stress the importance of upholding international treaties. Speakers warned that weakening global agreements threatens peace, security, and humanitarian stability.
The discussion specifically highlighted India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as a serious violation of international law.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said India’s actions contravene legal obligations and have far-reaching environmental, humanitarian, and regional security impacts. He recalled the August 2025 Court of Arbitration ruling reaffirming the IWT remains in force, with its dispute resolution mechanisms binding on both parties.
Ahmad cautioned that ignoring treaties sets a dangerous precedent for shared resources, borders, and confidence-building arrangements worldwide.
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The meeting included experts and legal authorities, including David Nanopoulos of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, former Pakistani Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, and Professor Adil Najam of Boston University.
They highlighted that treaties are legally binding instruments that stabilize international relations and prevent conflicts. Speakers stressed that undermining treaty compliance risks global collective security and weakens trust between nations.
Participants emphasized the preventive role of the UN, including the Security Council, Secretary-General, and International Court of Justice, in ensuring countries follow international agreements.
They noted that consistent enforcement of treaties, especially those governing shared resources and borders, is essential for maintaining regional peace. The discussions also drew attention to historical cases where treaty violations contributed to conflicts and instability.
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The meeting concluded with a call for all member states to respect and uphold treaties to prevent humanitarian crises and environmental harm. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the IWT and international law while urging global cooperation to strengthen compliance mechanisms. Experts said strong adherence to treaties is key to sustaining peace, security, and confidence among nations.