Ministry of Economic Affairs and UNDP discuss ways to explore financing for development

Islamabad (5th July 2021): Mr. Knut Ostby, UNDP Resident Representative called on Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, today, in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Islamabad.

Mr. Knut Ostby, UNDP Resident Representative briefed the Minister for Economic Affairs on UNDP’s intervention in Pakistan. Under Country Programme Document (CPD), UNDP is working in Pakistan in the areas of Democratic Governance, Development Policy, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, and Environment & Climate Change. Both the sides also discussed and finalized the way forward on UN Sustainable Development Goals Investments in the country.

Mr. Omar Ayub Khan, Minister for Economic Affairs appreciated the contribution made by UNDP towards the attainment of the SDGs and highlighted that fruitful results can only be achieved through greater collaboration, increased communication and proactive measures undertaken to tackle issues faced. Minister for Economic Affairs assured UNDP of its highest cooperation in this regard. He remarked that the involvement of private sector is important for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted that Pakistan is amongst the first countries that adopted the SDGs as National Development Goals and one of the few countries that is investing from its own resources to achieve the SDGs. The Minister also listed the development priorities of the Government. We are confident that SDG Investments will create impactful results for the people of Pakistan, he added.

Mr. Knut Ostby assured of UNDP’s support to the Government of Pakistan to achieve the 17 Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He also thanked the Government of Pakistan for the support extended in organization of SDG Investment Fair in April 2021 and appreciated the Government of Pakistan for taking steps in achieving the SDGs.