Statement by Ambassador Nabeel Munir, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan during Second Regular Session- 2017 of Executive Board of UNDP, UNOPS and UNFPA on agenda item 10: UNFPA-Country Programmes and related matters (8 September 2017)

Madam Chair,

Let me begin by appreciating Ms. Natalia Kanem, Acting Executive Director of UNFPA on her statements on the Organization’s Strategic Plan (2018-2021) and presentation on Country Programmes.

We also appreciate the role of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), its country team in Pakistan, and other stakeholders, for successfully concluding the UNFPA Country Program Document for Pakistan for the period 2018-21 after a consultative process.

Our long-standing partnership with UNFPA dates back to 1971. Since then we have successfully implemented eight country programmes with the UNFPA. Today we pledge to renew our resolve to implement the ninth CPD in the country.

Madam Chair,

Under the aegis of the present Government, Pakistan has recently conducted its 6th Population Census. Its results have confirmed that we are the 6th most populous country in the world, with around 200 million inhabitants. One of the dynamic characteristics of our population is the youth bulge, with around 60% of population between the ages of 15 to 64. Of course, this opportunity is accompanied by challenges of providing education, imparting technical training to the youth, besides job creation and health for all. The UNFPA CPD for Pakistan will help Government of Pakistan in addressing these challenges.

Madam Chair,

This CPD earmarks $39.5 million for the next five years and will help finance projects in Social Sectors, including Health, Education, Women Development, Demographic Statistics and Population Welfare Programmes. Pakistan also contributes over half a million annually to UNFPA.

The programmatic activities of UNFPA, we expect, would also be guided by our Vision 2025, the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for Pakistan 2018-2022, the International Conference on Population and Development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Family Planning 2020.

Madam Chair,

My Government remains focused on pro-poor economic growth. Centered on poverty eradication, our development programmes recognize the crucial link between productive employment and social cohesion. The Government of Pakistan has designed various policies to improve access to education, health care facilities and economic opportunities for various segments of population. Some of the important steps taken by the Government include:

  1. Adoption of Vision 2025. Its associated 25 goals will help align national priorities with attainment of Sustainable Development Goals;
  2. The Government is committed to improving Primary and Secondary Gender Parity index to 1, and increasing female workforce participation rate from 24% to 45% by 2025;
  3. We have embarked upon a plan to reduce infant mortality rate from 74 to less than 40 (per 1000 births) and reduce maternal mortality rate from 276 to less than 140 (per 1000 births) by 2025;
  4. With the landmark adoption of 18th Constitutional amendment, the subject of health and population have been delegated to provinces, which will help provinces legislate and formulate their own policies, thus achieving better service delivery;
  5. The Federal Government has also initiated a strategic review of the National Population Policy to align it with SDGs and Family Planning 2020 Commitments;
  6. With a view to gainfully engaging the Youth, we have launched the Prime Minister’s Small Business Interest Free loan Scheme for youth to set up their own enterprises; and
  7. The Government has taken a number of steps for women empowerment which include: increased quota in civil services and youth business loan schemes, anti-harassment bills at workplace, women protection bills, anti-child marriage bills, and Micro-Financing Schemes for Women. Besides, women are being trained in vocational skills through the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Schemes.

Madam Chair,

We hope, the programmatic activities of UNFPA would be implemented with caution and with great care, in keeping with the religious and socio-cultural sensitivities of the society with regard to Sexual and Reproductive Health, and thus avoiding any undue conflict. The delicate balance acquired through the Government of Pakistan and UNFPA working together will help full in realization of this Country Programme Document.

I thank you, Madam Chair.