Ahsan Iqbal appointed UNDP’s 'champion minister' for Asia Pacific region

Planning minister appointed on the position for working proactively towards promoting Sustainable Development Goals

Federal minister Ahsan Iqbal has been appointed as ‘champion minister’ of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Asia Pacific region.

The minister for planning, development and reforms was appointed on the position for working proactively towards promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a statement on Friday.

The appointment was announced at a meeting on the 50th anniversary of the body at UN Headquarters during the minister’s visit to United States.

Champion Minister @betterpakistan from Asia Pacific Region to promote SDGs @UNDP 50th anniversary in UN Hedquarters pic.twitter.com/wletakBTEu

— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) February 24, 2016

Addressing the meeting, Iqbal said Pakistan and UNDP shared strategic partnership in development and termed 50^th anniversary of the body a milestone.

Pakistan’s government looks forward to continued partnership with the international body for human development and achievement of SDGs, he added.

The minister emphasised upon the UNDP to create strong and effective knowledge sharing platforms.

Highlighting the steps taken to implement SDGs, Iqbal said a national initiative was launched to provide effective governance mechanism for policy mainstreaming, coordination and monitoring of the goals.

He reminded the audience that Pakistan was the first country to adopt the programme as a national development agenda reflected in Pakistan Vision-2025.



Iqbal called upon the global community to show responsibility in mitigating the damage caused by climate change in developing countries.

Later, the minister visited Google Headquarters in Bay Area, Silicon Valley where he discussed the organisation’s contribution towards developing Pakistan’s IT sector.