'Global South Perspectives on the Russia - Ukraine War and Consequent Geopolitical Tensions'
Universal Peace Federation UK
Date: 31st October, 2023
43 Lancaster Gate, London, and Online
Moderator: Robin Marsh UPF UK Secretary General
Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum: Former Three Star General and Senator, Pakistan
Keith Best TD MA: Chair, Universal Peace Federation UK
Mr. Ishtiaq Chaudhry: Chairman of Al Noor Foods, Philanthropist
Livestream of Programme Link Here
Photos of the Programme Link Here
The Universal Peace Federation UK (UPF-UK) hosted the third session of its forum “Global South Perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine War and Consequent Geopolitical Tensions” on 31 October 2023 at Lancaster Gate and online. The timely discussion unfolded against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, reflecting how multiple crises overlap and intensify global instability.
Distinguished Speakers and Humanitarian Perspectives
Speakers included Keith Best TD MA, Lt General Abdul Qayyum, and Ishtiaq Chaudhry, an Ambassador for Peace recognised for his extensive humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. Mr. Chaudhry gave an inspiring call to philanthropy, highlighting the importance of alleviating poverty and ill health while working alongside government provision.
Keith Best: Nuclear Risks, Global Tensions, and Lessons from History
Keith Best TD MA: Speech Text link here Video Link here
Keith Best TD MA warned that today may be “the most dangerous time in decades,” echoing global financial leader Jamie Dimon. He underscored how seemingly unrelated events can converge into cataclysm, drawing comparisons to the unexpected outbreak of World War I. In his closing remarks, he quoted Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr., affirming UPF’s mission: to foster interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, and peace across divides, living as “one family under God.”
His comments and responses to the audience's Q and A are in the livestream video.
Lt General Abdul Qayyum: Conflict, Interfaith Harmony, and UN Reform
Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum: Video Link here
Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum reflected on the 32 conflicts currently raging worldwide, stressing that the absence of war alone is not true peace. Citing Mughal King Akbar’s policy of “absolute peace,” he highlighted the transformative role of interfaith harmony in building prosperous societies. He called for UN reform, including ending veto power and ensuring the fair implementation of resolutions and international law, as vital steps toward lasting global stability.
Audience Engagement and Dialogue
The event included an extended Q&A session, with active participation from both in-person and online attendees. The discussion reinforced UPF’s mission to bridge divides, promote peace education, and inspire global citizenship.
Mr Ishtiaq Chaudhry
Mr. Ishtiaq Chaudhry: Ambassador for Peace Awardee: Video Link here
Mr Mohammed Ishtiaq Chaudhry is originally a native of Pakistan Mohammed Ishtiaq came to the UK almost 30 years ago with nothing in his pocket. With strength and determination he has achieved huge success in the business world He has built with Alnoor Foods Ltd a legacy of service and philanthropy. Mr Chaudhry has used his influence to spread the culture of philanthropy across an expensive social network including fund-raising for multifaceted international projects. He has also earned multiple awards during the course of his career including ‘Food Business of the Year’ at the 2017 inaugural London Asian Business Awards.
Mr Chaudhry is also chairman of OPL an organisation set up in 2013 to assist the people of Pakistan to vote in elections without threat of corruption or misrepresentation. This organisation has since branched out helping communities hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns as well as helping bring recognition to local heroes.
In one of his ventures, namely the construction of the Bewal International Hospital in Mr Ishiaq’s hometown in Pakistan, he was able to raise over £1.5 million. He continues to support the running of this hospital. Many people are being treated at a local hospital for the first time in their region’s history because of his ongoing efforts.
Biographies:
Keith Best Biography: Currently also Chair & CEO Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust, Chair Charity 2020, Executive Chair World Federalist Movement (WFM/IGP), Secretary Parliamentary Outreach Trust, European Movement; Patron of The European-Atlantic Movement (TEAM); media appearances on migration and other matters; Freeman City of London. Author several books and articles (latest, chapter in Religious Soft Diplomacy & the United Nations [2021]); keynote speeches both in the UK and abroad; visiting lecturer various universities. Formerly CEO of national charities SurvivorsUK, Freedom from Torture, IAS (Immigration Advisory Service), Prisoners Abroad; Vice Chair of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles; served on Foreign Secretary’s Advisory Panel on Torture Prevention; practising barrister and Member of Parliament (Anglesey/Ynys Môn); Parliamentary Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Wales; named in the Society Guardian as one of the 100 most influential people in public services in the UK; Major in airborne and commando forces. Speaks French and Welsh; married, two daughters. Ran London Marathon and abseiled down the highest hospital tower in the world (Guy’s) for charity.
Lieutenant General Abdul Qayyum: (Urdu: عبدالقیوم) is a retired three-star general of the Pakistan Army who has been the chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories and chairman of board of Pakistan Steel Mills. He entered the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, in May 1966 as a cadet and was commissioned in the Pakistan Army in April 1968 and retired as a three-star general in January 2004. He remained the chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories from September 1998 to January 2004. He contributed a column to daily Nawa-i-Waqt every Friday under the title Fikr-o-Khayal for about 7 years from 2007 to 2014. He appears frequently in television talk shows as a politico-defense analyst. The retired general joined politics in April 2012 and is now part of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N). He has also been a member of the senate of Pakistan since March 2015. He has been chairman of Senate standing committee on Defence production for the last four years and is also member of senate Defence, Kashmir, Antinarcotics and Statistics.
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