United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the world to show similar leadership as Pakistan has shown in standing with refugees, The Express Tribune reported.

“For 40 years, Pakistan has sheltered Afghan refugees,” he wrote. “I urge the world to support host countries and show similar leadership in standing with the refugees.”

The UN chief is in Islamabad to attend an international conference to mark the 40-year-long stay of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees that is being organised by Pakistan, in collaboration with the UNHCR.

Recognising Pakistan’s hospitality for displaced people, Guterres began his four-day official visit by meeting refugees from Afghanistan, Yemen and Tajikistan.

In his meeting with the refugees’ representatives, the UN secretary general appreciated Islamabad’s generosity for providing opportunities to millions of refugees.

“Pakistan is full of hospitality and particularly people of Pakistan and hospitality for Afghanistan refugees,” he said and thanked the country for hosting Afghan refugees for “such a long time”.

Addressing a special talk on Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Guterres urged world leaders to act on climate change before it is too late.

“Our planet is burning,” he said.

He cautioned that climate crisis is the biggest conflict that the world has had to face. Warning that with only 10 years left to meet the deadline of the sustainable development goals, he stressed on the need to step up and take action immediately.

On the issue of Kashmir, Guterres said India should respect human rights. He cited United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) reports to stress upon the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, The Express Tribune reported.