ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that poverty alleviation and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was important part of the present government’s priorities.
The foreign minister expressed these views while talking to Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Pakistan Knut Ostby.
He congratulated Knut Ostby on his appointment as UNDP Resident Representative and appreciated the positive and construction role of UNDP in Pakistan.
Pakistan and UNDP were working together for common objective for the last many years, he added. FM Qureshi said that Pakistan, the current chair of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has always been playing its active role in the development-related debates at international forums.
He also appreciated the UNDP’s assistance to Pakistan in tackling the challenges of development and climate as well as in achieving the SDGs.
While highlighting the challenges faced by people in the underdeveloped regions of the country, the foreign minister called on UNDP to enhance its development work in these areas. He also suggested concrete thematic areas where UNDP could exert efforts in line with the government’s development priorities.
UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby thanked the foreign minister and assured all out support of UNDP in achieving the common objectives.
He briefed the on UNDP’s ongoing activities in the country and exchanged views on further strengthening development partnership with Pakistan.
He assured the foreign minister of UNDP Country Office’s continued support for Pakistan’s development objectives and priorities.
Later in a tweet, Knut Ostby described the meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi as “inspiring” during which they had good discussion on key development issues including governance, disaster recovery, poverty eradication and women empowerment.
