UNITED NATIONS: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari praised United Nations development system, especially its Resident Coordinator’s office in Islamabad, for their crucial role in supporting Pakistan’s national efforts to respond and recover from “Dire situation” left behind by last August’s devastating floods.

“Resident Coordinator’s Office was our go-to place for coordinating UN response to catastrophic floods,” he said in video message to roundtable discussion held at UN Headquarters in New York on case study regarding “Coordinated and comprehensive response to Pakistan’s floods in 2022”.

He said Resident Coordinator’s role “Significantly streamlined” coordination effort for government and ensured smooth exchange of information among all partners on country’s emergency situation. He expressed his appreciation to Resident Coordinator, Julien Harneis, and his able team for helping Pakistan to launch flash appeal in timely manner and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his extraordinary support and his solidarity visit to Pakistan, in wake of floods. Resident Coordinator, FM Bilawal said, also played critical role in formulation of Pakistan’s comprehensive recovery plan with help of team including World Bank, Asian Bank, European Union and UN Development Programme that worked with relevant Pakistan ministries.

“Government’s current focus is to transform these plans into concrete and viable projects for timely and effective implementation.” In his opening remarks, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram spotlighted Pakistan’s long-standing and enduring partnership with UN Development System, saying “Over last three years, system has been put to ultimate ‘stress test’.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 14 2023

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