Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York and discussed expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including fostering regional stability and enhancing economic cooperation. The meeting came in the backdrop of the UN conference on global food security which Bhutto is attending. This was the first international conference Bhutto was attending after becoming foreign minister of his country under a new government for the first time late last month.

“Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and I reaffirmed our shared desire for a strong and prosperous US-Pakistani bilateral relationship. I look forward to expanding our cooperation on climate, trade, investment, and regional peace and security issues,” Blinken said in a statement.

He further added, "This is a challenge that we're seeing around the world. There was a pre-existing condition as a world when it comes to food insecurity in many places. It's been exacerbated dramatically by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, adding another 40 million people to those who are food insecure."

Speaking on the challenges facing his country, Bilawal said, "Countries like Pakistan have already been facing challenges including food security, water security, energy security, because of a host of issues ranging from climate change to issues in our neighborhood."

Pakistan, he said, is looking forward to working with yourself and your administration to improve trade relations between Pakistan and the United States and create opportunities for American investors and Pakistani investors and Pakistani businessmen and American entrepreneurs to work together.

(SAM)