Govt, UN sign pact to boost economic growth

This is the second ‘One United Nations’ programme that Islamabad, UN have signed.

ISLAMABAD: The government and the United Nations in Pakistan on Friday signed ‘One United Nations’ five-year programme covering the period from 2013 to 2017 for economic growth and the provincial and regional development plans.

Led by the government of Pakistan and building on the expertise of the 18 participating UN agencies, the five-year programme will contribute towards the achievement of key national development priorities, a press statement said.

The new programme has firm basis in the national framework for economic growth and the provincial and regional development plans.

In addition, consistent with the spirit of the 18th constitutional amendment, the programme has been developed based on extensive consultations with the provincial, regional and federal UN counterparts, including civil society and other development partners.

Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Javed Iqbal, UN Resident Coordinator Timo Pakkala and the representatives of UN agencies in Pakistan signed the ‘One UN’ programme.

At the signing ceremony, Iqbal said that Pakistan was one of the founding members of the United Nations ‘Delivering as One’ reform process that led to the establishment of the first One UN programme (2009-12).

Signing of the second generation One UN programme signifies government’s appreciation of the partnership with the UN and commitment to UN reforms. The new programme represents an investment in further strengthening the effectiveness of our cooperation with the UN to ensure maximum benefit to the people of Pakistan.

UN Resident Coordinator Pakkala said, “Through the next One UN Programme, UN continues to support social and economic development in Pakistan, including the achievement of millennium development goals, poverty reduction, gender equality and reduction of risks from disasters.

The six priority areas of this programme reflect strategic transformational potential of the UN system in Pakistan. The UN organisations working in Pakistan represent a wealth of technical expertise and global good practices at the disposal of the nation.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2012.