Islamabad: The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, hosted Mr. Mohamed Yahya, the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Pakistan, for a meeting focused on enhancing cooperation under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027. The session, which took place in the Prime Minister’s house, aimed at bolstering efforts towards building a climate-resilient Pakistan and advancing sustainable development goals.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting was a platform for comprehensive discussions on both ongoing and future collaborations under the UNSDCF, which is designed to guide the strategic partnership between Pakistan and the United Nations through 2027. The framework prioritizes critical areas such as basic social services, gender equality and women’s empowerment, climate change and the environment, sustainable economic growth, decent work, and governance.

The Minister expressed his gratitude towards the UN Country Team for their significant contributions to mitigating the effects of the devastating 2022 floods, highlighting the crucial role of international support in Pakistan’s climate adaptation strategies. He also underscored the importance of regular communication to monitor the progress of UN-supported initiatives and to address challenges as they arise.

Further discussions emphasized the role of the newly established Federal and Provincial Oversight committees, which are expected to provide strategic direction and oversight for initiatives under the UNSDCF, covering all five key outcomes. Mr. Yahya reaffirmed the UN agencies’ ongoing commitment to providing technical support in these essential areas.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties expressing satisfaction with the progress and commitment to further enhancing the strong and productive relationship between Pakistan and the United Nations to achieve shared goals of sustainability and resilience.