Bilawal to preside over 'Women in Islam' moot among engagements during upcoming N.Y. visit.

UNITED NATIONS -- Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, arrives in New York next week for a hectic, 4-day visit during which he will preside over a conference on 'Women in Islam' to be held on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Hosted by Pakistan in its capacity as the chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), the one-day conference will take place in the Economic and Social Council's chamber at UN headquarters on March 8, a day after the foreign minister arrives.

On March 7, FM Bilawal is also expected to participate in a high-level UN Security Council debate on 'Women, Peace and Security', sponsored by Mozambique in its capacity as the Council's President for March.

Meanwhile, the stated objective of the conference, convened by Pakistan, is to bridge the perception-reality gap on the rights of women in Islam and celebrate the experiences and successes of iconic Muslim women. It is aimed at establishing an annual policy dialogue to address challenges and explore opportunities to advance the role of women role in OIC countries.

Titled 'Women in Islam: Understanding the Rights and Identity of Women in the Islamic World', FM Bilawal will open the high-level segment of the conference with an address.

He will be followed by the UN General Assembly President, Csaba Korosi; OIC Secretary...