United Nations in Pakistan

Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Since then, the country has made considerable progress by mainstreaming these goals in national policies and strategies and developing an institutional framework for SDGs implementation in Pakistan. SDG support units have been established at federal and provincial levels with the planning institutions (Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Provincial Planning and Development Departments) to guide SDGs implementation and monitoring it progress. In 2018, the Government designed and approved a National SDGs Framework that envisages a national vision to prioritize and localize SDGs. Localized provincial SDG Frameworks are being formulated. The focus of the government is on mainstreaming SDGs in planning processes, ensuring strong monitoring and reporting on SDGs, ensuring public financial allocations are aligned to SDGs and alternate financing modalities are being explored, and to benefit from use of technology to accelerate progress towards SDGs.

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Publication

22 May 2026

UN Pakistan Annual Report 2025

For Pakistan and the international system as a whole, 2025 was a turbulent year. Climate shocks, economic volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and regional instability combined to put pressure on people, institutions and public finances alike. And yet, 2025 was also a story of resilience, adaptation and determined action.This Annual Results report shows how, in 2025, the United Nations stood with Pakistan – and how, together with government, communities and partners, we delivered results for people across the country. It also reflects a central lesson of the year: in a more volatile world, complex challenges cannot be met with fragmented responses. Just as the pressures Pakistan faces are interconnected, so too must be the solutions. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Pakistan 2023–2027 provides a basis for that integrated approach, bringing together our collective efforts across social services, inclusion, climate resilience, economic opportunity, governance and human rights.

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Publication

16 April 2026

The Future of Governance and the Social Contract

This issue of the Development Advocate Pakistan, The Future of Governance and the Social Contract, examines how governance capacity, not policy ambition alone, will determine Pakistan’s ability to navigate economic volatility, climate pressures, digital transformation, and widening inequality. At a moment of overlapping national transitions, it argues that restoring trust in the state depends on stronger institutions, better coordination, and closing the gap between reform commitments and lived outcomes.The issue features a leadership perspective by Honourable Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, alongside reflections from UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen; Sam Waldock, Development Director at the British Deputy High Commission in Islamabad; and Saroop Ijaz, Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate The issue also brings together diverse technical experts and thought leaders examining governance through multiple lenses, including fiscal federalism, constitutional accountability, digital rights, climate governance, water security, regional inequality, inclusion, and more. Among the contributing authors are Christina Murray, Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford and Gideon Basson, PhD Candidate, University of Oxford; Asma Hyder, Former Dean and Professor at IBA Karachi; Nargis Sethi, Former Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mehreen Naushad, International Law Expert; Dr. Sajid Amin, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI; Shmyla Khan, Researcher and Campaigner; Sara Hayat, Climate Change Law & Policy Specialist; Mohsin Leghari, Former Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Punjab; and Peter Jacob, Director of the Centre for Social Justice. The report concludes with a case study from UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit, highlighting practical efforts to institutionalize results-based delivery within the Prime Minister’s Office.Together, these contributions underscore a central message: the future of Pakistan’s social contract will be determined not only by constitutional guarantees or reform plans, but by the strength, coherence, and accountability of the institutions that bring them to life.

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Publication

16 April 2026

Pakistan’s National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

As Pakistan’s digital landscape expands, so does the need to ensure that online spaces are safe, inclusive, and rights-based. In 2024, eight million new female users came online, marking important progress in digital inclusion. Yet in the same year, 135,000 cybercrime complaints were reported, while only 826 cases proceeded to prosecution — just 0.6 percent. This gap between access and protection highlights the scale of the challenge and the need for a stronger institutional response.Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is increasingly shaping how women and girls experience digital spaces in Pakistan. From harassment and cyberstalking to image-based abuse, impersonation, and coordinated online intimidation, these harms can restrict expression, participation, and access to opportunity, while reinforcing existing inequalities.To respond to this growing challenge, the Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed Pakistan’s first National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. This strategy marks an important step toward a more coordinated, survivor-centred, and rights-based response. Developed through a consultative multi-stakeholder process, the strategy provides a national framework to strengthen prevention, protection, redress, and institutional coordination, while helping ensure that women and girls can participate in digital life with safety, dignity, and confidence.

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Publication

08 November 2022

United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for Pakistan

With this framework, the UN in Pakistan has prioritized five development outcomes to improve people’s lives in Pakistan, especially the lives of those at the greatest risk of being left behind. The UN will support Pakistan to move forward on its pathway towards sustainable development, on the understanding that:✓ If basic social services – including health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and social protection – are strengthened, there will be increased equal access to sustainable quality services for all.✓ If women, girls and transgender persons are empowered to reach their fullest potential, their human, social, economic and cultural rights will be fully protected and upheld, and they will have decision-making power over all aspects of their lives.✓ If the health of the Indus River Basin is restored and protected, and resources are equitably and efficiently used, the Indus will sustain a thriving civilization from its sources to the sea, and Pakistan will be much better equipped to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.✓ If there is sustainable and inclusive green economic growth and decent work, there will be equitable employment opportunities, enhanced productivity, a sustainable business environment and the realization of workers’ rights.✓ If inclusive, accountable and efficient governance systems are in place, they will provide equitable service delivery, affordable and accessible justice systems, and enable people to be aware of – and obtain – their rights.To download an abridged version: Click here

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Story

28 September 2026

Listening to better support Pakistan’s frontline vaccinators

22 September 2026, Islamabad, Pakistan – In Dera Ismail Khan district, some vaccinators travel 5-6 km to deliver a single outreach vaccination session. Others cover 30 km. In the most remote areas, the distance can extend up to 90 km – usually by motorcycle, if one is available. This is what outreach means for many of the 15,000 WHO-trained vaccinators who work for the Pakistan Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to protect millions of children and mothers with life-saving vaccines.In August 2026, WHO partnered with EPI to ask 183 of these frontline workers what their daily job is like in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The objective: to understand their challenges so that they can receive better support. “I joined the health department with a passion to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Hurdles are everywhere, but that does not mean I’ll quit my job,” said Nadia, a vaccinator who provided feedback during one of the 13 focus group discussions held across 7 districts.Long distances across remote areas, difficult terrain, limited resources, misinformation, extreme weather conditions, misconceptions, lack of awareness among communities… These are some of the recurring obstacles faced by Pakistan’s routine vaccinators – around 15% of whom are women – to bring the science behind vaccines to every community.Routine vaccinators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during a listening exercise supported by WHO in Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanFemale vaccinators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, after a focus group discussion in August 2026. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAs explained by vaccinator Maryam during one of the sessions, community trust depends on the same vaccinator returning, session after session. “When someone refuses, it is difficult to convince them, but we try our best.”Male vaccinators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, after a focus group discussion supported by WHO in August 2026. Photo credit: WHO PakistanVaccinators did not only describe problems. They also shared their first-hand experience working with their communities to propose solutions adapted to their different contexts.The consultations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be followed by similar exercises in other provinces of Pakistan.With WHO support, the Pakistan EPI administers routine vaccines every year to more than 7 million children and 5.5 million women, protecting every family against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. Behind the scenes, frontline vaccinators are the workforce that makes it possible.They are the last stretch of a national programme that depends on 1 person reaching 1 household. They are the human connection needed to ensure that no family is left behind.Written by Ayesha Javed.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán.Note to editors:Names have been changed to preserve the anonymity of the frontline workers.

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Story

21 May 2026

Pakistan: protecting millions against polio with support from KSrelief

“Just as we care for the children in our own homes and protect them from polio, I want all innocent children in our country to be healthy and protected through polio campaigns. I do this job from my heart, going from house to house to make sure that no child is left behind,” says Faiza.Faiza is one of more than 413,000 frontline health workers trained and mobilized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in April to protect 45 million children from paralytic polio in Pakistan, under the leadership of the Government and with support from donors like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).From 13-19 April, as the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) implemented its second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026, polio workers like Faiza walked the length and breadth of the country to bring the life-saving polio vaccine to the doorsteps of every child, regardless of social or economic status, no matter where they live or who they are. Since the launch of Pakistan’s polio programme in 1994, thanks to the medical science behind vaccines, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025 and 1 case so far in 2026. Global polio eradication experts agree that ending wild polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach, but only if all partners intensify the response, particularly in the 2 remaining endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.Polio worker Faiza administers polio drops in Taramari during the April 2026 national polio campaign in Pakistan. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanLike Faiza, Saima – a former teacher – sees her work as a vaccinator as a personal commitment to protect every child in her community from a disease that can cause lifelong paralysis or death. “As a woman and as a mother, I get a lot of hope and internal satisfaction from this work. It is an act of service for me, vaccinating and protecting the children in my community from this terrible disease.”Saima’s 2-member team goes from house to house, visiting approximately 250 homes during each campaign.Polio worker Saima (centre) during the morning briefing before departing on a vaccination round in Islamabad, Pakistan, during the April 2026 national polio campaign. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanAs a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO provides technical and operational assistance to Pakistan’s PEI. WHO supports Pakistan and partners in leading key components of the largest polio operation in the world, including science- and evidence-based vaccination campaigns, support for the largest and most sensitive poliovirus surveillance network globally, the training and deployment of polio workers – 60% of them women, outbreak responses, and the monitoring and evaluation of vaccination drives.Economic support provided by donors like KSrelief has been instrumental in ensuring WHO polio operations in Pakistan, while enabling economic support and community service.“I am very content to be working in the Polio programme because I am able to support my family while also protecting children from polio,” says polio vaccinator Hina.“Community health is an important part of my training as a student nurse, so I was motivated to be in the field, engaging directly with communities and promoting health. Being a polio worker and going door to door to vaccinate children is providing valuable field experience and the opportunity to serve the community, as well as income to cover my expenses,” says Waqar, who is completing his final year of nursing education and volunteers as a polio worker during vaccination campaigns.Polio workers like Faiza, Saima, Hina and Waqar are the backbone of polio eradication efforts in Pakistan, knocking on every door and visiting every family to leave no child behind. In their vaccine carriers, they bring hope, one drop at a time, for a polio-free Pakistan and a polio-free world.In 2026, WHO polio operations are being supported by the generous contributions of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany, the Gates Foundation and Rotary International.Written by Suzanna Masih.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán.

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Pakistan: protecting millions against polio with support from KSrelief

Story

05 May 2026

Navigating remote Sindh to deliver life-saving vaccines in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan – In the narrow, muddy lanes of Ghorabari, Sindh, Ali Muhammad’s motorbike brings hope and medical science to the most remote communities. Over the last two decades, Ali has been navigating this marginalized landscape, where accessing healthcare can be a daily struggle. Ali is one of over 15 000 skilled vaccinators trained by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the leadership of Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization.His mission: to ensure every child completes their full vaccination course, staying protected from vaccine-preventable diseases that could lead to lifelong disability or death.Vaccinator Ali on his motorbike, about to head to vaccination in a remote area in Sindh province, Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanDay after day, Ali fights a burden of diseases that particularly threatens communities living in makeshift houses far from health facilities.WHO’s collaboration with Pakistan and partners – supported by donors like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – provides the infrastructure, training, and tools needed to record the vaccination status of children and reach those living in the most isolated areas.Ali Muhammad with a vaccine carrier and safety box on his way to remote households in Ghorabari, Sindh. Photo credit: WHO PakistanWhether during the 2022 floods or the measles and rubella vaccination campaigns of 2022 and 2025, Ali was on the ground to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. "I have seen real improvement because of vaccination," Ali says. "There are fewer outbreaks now, but our work must be consistent to keep children safe."Ali often encounters hesitation due to misinformation. He remembers one family who, fearing minor side effects like fever, chose to skip life-saving vaccines."We would get our children vaccinated sometimes, and other times we wouldn't," says Zohra, a mother in Ghorabari. This inconsistency turned fatal when her daughter fell ill. Mistaking her fever for a common chest infection, the parents waited. It was only when a rash appeared and they reached the hospital that the truth emerged: it was measles. The realization came too late; the young girl died the next day.Today, Zohra has transformed her grief into a plea: "My daughter is gone because I was careless. I let my doubts come before her safety, and now I have to live with that grief every day. I thought I was protecting her from a fever. I urge every mother: do not wait for a rash to appear, do not let your child become a memory; ensure they are vaccinated on time, every time."Zohra, a mother in Ghorabari, Sindh, advocates immunization after losing her daughter to a preventable measles outbreak. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAli vaccinates over 3500 children annually at the basic health unit and in outreach sites, but he is more than a vaccinator. He is also a counselor who shares the plight of parents like Zohra to break the cycle of refusal. Every morning, he prepares his vaccine carrier, safety box, and vaccines, heading out to reach every woman and child, no matter where they live or who they are."In this area, some people don’t have access to basic health facilities; my mission is to ensure that every child completes their full vaccination course, so they are safe and protected.Written by Ayesha Javed.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán.

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Vaccinator Ali prepares a vaccine dose during an outreach session in a remote community in Ghorabari, Sindh.

Story

29 April 2026

‘This work chose me’: Pakistan’s women vaccinators protecting millions on the frontlines

“I didn’t choose this work. This work chose me,” says Sanam, one of the more than 428 000 vaccinators – including 15 000 routine vaccinators and 413 000 polio workers – trained by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan. They brave distance and difficult terrain and overcome doubts to bring lifesaving medical science to their communities, protecting them against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.Every year, they protect 7 million children and 5.5 million mothers with routine vaccines. Over 45 million children have been reached with polio vaccines during multiple supplementary campaigns.Many of these vaccinators are women who speak mother to mother, bridging cultural codes and going where others cannot. This World Immunization Week, we pay tribute to them.Meet Sanam, Laila, Rozina, Sagheera, Zeenat, Fatima, Ayesha, Shumaila, Deen-a-Komal and Amina, and learn how, across Pakistan’s provinces, they are proving that, for every generation, vaccines work and save lives.Sanam – Barakahu, Islamabad“When I was in college, I wanted to select a field where I could interact with people and with children – like this vaccination programme that protects children. I wanted to do something for children, as a vaccinator and as a mother.”Vaccinator Sanam prepares a routine immunization dose at the Rural Health Centre Barakahu, Islamabad, Pakistan, in April 2026. Photo credit: Sara Akmal/ WHO PakistanLaila – Muzaffargarh, Punjab“These are my villages, my children. I have walked through these fields in July heat and December fog. When you know a child is waiting, you don’t calculate the distance. You just go. Trust is a real medicine. The injection comes after,” says Laila.Vaccinator Laila walks through the fields of Muzaffargarh, Punjab, carrying a vaccine carrier and supplies to reach children in her community. Photo credit: WHO PakistanRozina – Thatta, Sindh“Some mothers walk very far to bring their children to me. When I see them coming, I never make them wait. There are mothers in this area who lost children to measles because they were not vaccinated on time. Vaccination is not just a choice. It is a responsibility we share.”Vaccinator Rozina prepares a vaccine dose at a community outreach session in, Thatta, Sindh, as mothers and children wait to be vaccinated. Photo credit: WHO PakistanSagheera – Kahuta, Punjab “For 25 years I have been coming to these hills. The children I vaccinated first are now bringing me their own children. That is all the reward I need.”Vaccinator Sagheera reviews vaccination cards with mothers and families during a community outreach visit in Kahuta, Punjab. Photo credit: WHO PakistanZeenat – Rawalpindi“I am a mother too and I got my own children vaccinated for polio. Thank God, they are healthy and protected now. I want all parents in the country to vaccinate their children with polio drops so they do not fall prey to paralysis.”Vaccinator Zeenat, accompanied by a WHO frontline worker, administers polio drops to a child at his doorstep in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, during a door-to-door immunization campaign in February 2026. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanFatima – Thatta, Sindh“Every tetanus-diphtheria vaccine that we provide protects mothers and newborns from maternal and neonatal tetanus. I am proud to have played a part in eliminating this disease across Sindh.” Vaccinator Fatima administers a Td (tetanus-diphtheria) vaccine to a woman at a community outreach site in Thatta, Sindh, as part of Pakistan’s maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination programme. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAyesha – Tarlai, Islamabad“Every child, every missed dose is all in this register. This data are not just numbers. These are the children I am responsible for.”Vaccinator Ayesha presents her vaccination register to Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, during a visit to the Tarlai health facility in Islamabad in 2025. Photo credit: Ayesha Javed/WHO PakistanShumaila – Karachi, Sindh“The human papillomavirus (HPV) campaign (against cervical cancer) was challenging. I was not just vaccinating — I was convincing parents the vaccine was safe. Every girl on our list was a daughter, a sister, a future. It was our responsibility to protect her health.”Vaccinator Shumaila administers an HPV vaccine to a schoolgirl in Karachi, Sindh, during the national HPV campaign. Photo credit: Ayesha Javed/WHO PakistanDeen-a-Komal – Diamir District, Gilgit-Baltistan“In Diamir, people once turned us away at the door. Since15 women vaccinators were deployed here, coverage has risen from 57% to 83%. That change is what I worked for.”Vaccinator Deen-a-Komal at an outreach site during a measles and rubella campaign in November 2025 in Diamir District, Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAmina Khan – Mehrabadi, Islamabad“A missed child does not disappear from my list. I follow up until I find them. A blank space in this register means a child is still at risk.”Vaccinator Amina updates vaccination records at a field outreach site in Mehrabadi, Islamabad. Photo credit: WHO Pakistan.Bridging the human distance to deliver medical scienceIn 1976, Pakistan was certified free of smallpox by WHO. In 1980, smallpox was officially declared eradicated worldwide, ending one of the deadliest diseases in human history. That success was achieved by health workers who walked through neighbourhoods, climbed into villages, and stayed until every eligible person was reached. Two years later, in 1978, Pakistan launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in partnership with WHO. At the time, there were a limited presence of women vaccinators.Nearly 5 decades on, Pakistan has more women vaccinators than ever. They carry vaccines into the country’s hardest-to-reach corners with WHO technical and operational support – in collaboration with partners and with funding from donors like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.These vaccinators continue to build on the hard-earned lesson that motivated the creation of the immunization programme 48 years ago: understanding that the distance between a vaccine and a child is always, in the end, a human distance, and that the medical science behind vaccines needs vaccinators to deliver it.Written by Ayesha Javed.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán

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Pakistan’s women vaccinators protecting millions on the frontlines

Story

06 April 2026

Threading a New Path: Saeeda’s Journey from Isolation to Enterprise

In Union Council Churbandar, in Gwadar district, Saeeda’s days once revolved around quiet, repetitive work.At 39, widowed and raising two children, she relied on hand embroidery to sustain her household. Her work was careful and skilled, but it remained confined within her home. Without access to buyers, pricing knowledge, or regular orders, her monthly income fluctuated between PKR 10,000 and 15,000. It was uncertain, informal, and difficult to scale. “I used to do embroidery, but I did not know how to sell my work properly or get regular orders,” she recalls. Like many women in her community, Saeeda’s challenge was not a lack of skill. It was the absence of a pathway to turn that skill into a stable livelihood.That began to change with the establishment of the Women Resource Centre (WRC) in Churbandar under the Gwadar Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project, financed by Government of Pakistan and the International Dund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Designed as a safe and accessible space, the centre brought women together to learn, work, and exchange knowledge. For Saeeda, it marked her first step out of isolation.Through the centre, she participated in Enterprise Development Training, where she learned advanced embroidery techniques, product finishing, business planning, and basic financial management. More importantly, she began to understand how her work could connect to a wider market.The shift was not immediate, but it was steady.At the WRC, women were encouraged to organise into enterprise groups. Saeeda joined others with similar skills, and for the first time, her work became part of a collective process. Tasks were shared across embroidery, stitching, finishing, and packaging. Products that once took months to complete could now be produced more efficiently and with consistent quality. With support from the centre, she also began receiving orders from local markets and women-led online networks, including through WhatsApp. Her customer base expanded, and her pricing improved.Today, Saeeda earns approximately PKR 35,000 a month. The increase in income has brought stability to her household, but the change is not only financial.“After my husband passed away, I was broken and afraid… The Women Resource Centre gave me skills, confidence, and direction. Today, I can support my children with dignity and hope.” The centre has also reshaped how women in the community engage with work and with each other. It provides a space where they can move beyond home-based, informal production into structured, market-oriented activities, while building confidence and decision-making capacity.Saeeda’s experience reflects a broader shift underway across Gwadar and Lasbela districts. Under the project, women are not peripheral participants but a central focus. They make up more than half of the membership in community organisations, and the majority of productive assets and training opportunities are directed towards them. This approach is supported through a network of Women Resource Centres, designed to anchor skills development, enterprise formation, and market engagement at the local level. The results are visible beyond individual households. Across the project area, there has been a marked decline in the proportion of ultra-poor households earning below PKR 10,000, alongside a rise in households moving into higher income brackets. These trends indicate a gradual but measurable shift from subsistence to more stable livelihoods.At the same time, the process is still evolving. Building enterprise groups, strengthening market linkages, and sustaining local institutions such as WRCs requires time and continued engagement. For Saeeda, however, the direction is already clear.What began as solitary work within the confines of her home has grown into a more structured livelihood, connected to markets and supported by a network of women facing similar challenges. In that transition lies not only increased income, but a redefinition of what is possible.

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Press Release

28 September 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 24 September 2026

Islamabad, 21 September 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan welcomed Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director General of the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), for a high-level visit focused on strengthening cooperation and advancing sustainable recovery efforts in Pakistan.The visit brought together representatives from CICETE, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Balochistan, UNDP, and community members supported through China-funded initiatives in Balochistan. Their experiences helped ground discussions on progress and lessons to date, opportunities to expand the existing portfolio, and priorities for future cooperation.Building on the success of the first phase of China-supported post-flood livelihood recovery assistance in Balochistan, which benefited more than 162,000 people, the new phase builds on an established platform for recovery under UNDP’s broader flagship Flood Recovery Programme (FRP), bringing together partnerships, experience and investments to support flood-affected communities across the province.“2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Over the past 75 years, our two countries have stood together through challenges and shared a deep bond of mutual trust, friendship and mutual support. As China and Pakistan move to build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, cooperation in improving people’s livelihoods has remained an important part of our enduring partnership. This project is a concrete example of China-UNDP-Pakistan cooperation in advancing resilient recovery and sustainable development. It also reflects our shared commitment to promoting the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and advancing the four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. CICETE stands ready to work with the relevant Chinese authorities, UNDP and other partners to develop more ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood projects across Pakistan, so as to bring greater tangible benefits to the people of both countries and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region,” said Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director General, CICETE.Supported by the Government of China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) and implemented in partnership with the Government of Balochistan, the Post-Flood Agricultural Restoration (One Town One Product) Project will support approximately 110,000 people across seven districts through agricultural and livelihood assistance, technical training, targeted support for 3,000 women, and institutional capacity-building.“Climate shocks can erase years of progress in a matter of hours. Recovery should therefore go beyond replacing what was lost; it should reduce the vulnerabilities that put lives and livelihoods at risk in the first place,” said Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan. “Through our partnership with the Government of China and the Government of Balochistan, we are connecting immediate livelihood support with skills, stronger local capacities and greater economic opportunity, so communities can recover today and face future shocks with greater resilience.”Agricultural and kitchen gardening toolkits were handed over during the ceremony, marking a key milestone in implementation. The toolkits will support agricultural productivity and create income-generating opportunities for women through kitchen gardening. Together, the two phases of China-supported post-flood recovery assistance are expected to benefit more than 300,000 people across Balochistan, helping communities restore livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity and build resilience to future climate shocks.At the ceremony, Bibi Zainab and Bibi Naz, two women from flood-affected communities in Balochistan who received assistance through the initiative, shared how the floods had disrupted their families’ livelihoods. They described how the assistance is helping women in their areas resume productive activities, contribute to household incomes and move towards greater economic independence. They also highlighted the needs that remain, particularly support to rebuild homes, restore livestock and regain the stability their families lost.“Pakistan values the continued support of the Government of China for post-flood recovery and UNDP’s role in translating this partnership into practical support for flood-affected communities in Balochistan. Initiatives such as this are helping restore livelihoods, create economic opportunities and support longer-term resilience,” said Mr. Mahmood Ahmed Khan, Joint Secretary, UN Desk, Economic Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan, during his remarks at the ceremony.“Women often face the consequences of floods most acutely, particularly when livelihoods and household incomes are disrupted. Enabling them to resume productive work and access income-generating opportunities is essential to a lasting recovery. We greatly value the Government of China’s continued assistance and UNDP’s close partnership with the Government of Balochistan in helping affected families rebuild their lives with greater resilience,” added Ms. Batool Asadi, Chief Foreign Aid, Planning and Development Department, Government of Balochistan.The visit also included a tree-planting ceremony and an exchange with members of the UNDP Country Team. CICETE and UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to building on the partnership and exploring further opportunities to support inclusive economic development, resilient livelihoods and sustainable recovery in Pakistan.For further details, please contact Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.org About UNDPUNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP

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Press Release

28 September 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 25 September 2026

On the occasion of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the World Health Organization emphasizes that every child deserves a chance to defeat cancer and renews its commitment to supporting Pakistan with quality-assured medicines – free of charge – through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.25 September 2026, Islamabad – On the occasion of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the World Health Organization (WHO) renews its commitment to partnering with Pakistan to give every child a chance to defeat the disease, reminding the public that childhood cancer is curable and early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the survival of more than 8,000 children diagnosed annually in Pakistan. Most types of childhood cancer can be cured with generic medicines and other forms of treatment such as surgery and radiotherapy. It is estimated that 400,000 children develop cancer each year globally. In high-income countries, where comprehensive services are generally accessible, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured. However, in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), less than 30% recover, meaning that 7 out of 10 children affected by cancer do not survive, in many cases due to a lack of access to quality treatment and medicines.To strengthen access to life-saving treatment, WHO continues to work with Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination under the agreement between Pakistan and WHO to provide quality-assured childhood cancer medicines – free of cost – through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform).Four Pakistani hospitals are already partnering with WHO to complete, between the end of the year and the first quarter of 2027, the final preparations required before receiving the medicines.Seven additional hospitals are expected to implement technical recommendations through 2027, so that they are ready to receive the supplies. The ultimate goal is to provide free, quality-assured medicines to all hospitals providing childhood cancer treatment in Pakistan.On 29 July 2025, WHO and the Ministry of Health formalized Pakistan’s participation in the Global Platform. Pakistan became the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to join the Global Platform, co-founded in 2021 by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and WHO to provide an uninterrupted supply of certified childhood cancer medicines to low- and middle-income countries. The initiative works in collaboration with the PAHO Strategic Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which will be responsible for procuring medicines and delivering them to Pakistan.The agreement brings new hope to children suffering from the disease in Pakistan – regardless of their economic status – and aims to increase their survival rate from 30% to 60% by 2030.The initiative also aims to support Pakistan’s Ministry of Health and provincial authorities with technical guidance, resources, and operational support to strengthen the health system and enhance overall childhood cancer services.“Thanks to medical science, today childhood cancer can be cured. But for that, timely diagnosis and sustained treatment are essential. Every child affected by cancer deserves a chance to defeat the disease and fulfil their dreams, regardless of social or economic status, no matter where they live or who they are,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.“WHO is proud of our partnership with Pakistan through the Global Platform and we will not stop working to give every child the opportunity to recover from cancer and lead a healthy life.”***About WHO Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners, and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. We work with 194 Member States in 150+ locations – so everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. WHO has been present in Pakistan – founding member of the Organization – since 1960. For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html. Follow WHO Pakistan on X and Facebook. For additional information, please contact:   José Ignacio Martín Galán, Head of Communications, WHO Pakistan, jomartin@who.intMaryam Yunus, National Professional Officer – Communications, WHO Pakistan, yunusm@who.int

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Press Release

17 September 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 16 September 2026

Islamabad, 15th September 2026 – UN-Habitat in collaboration with Shehersaaz marked the completion of the community-level component of its Climate Change Adaptation Project in Pakistan through a closing and celebration ceremony, highlighting significant achievements in strengthening community resilience, enhancing local capacities and promoting practical solutions to climate-related challenges. Pakistan is increasingly experiencing floods, water scarcity, heatwaves and other climate-related hazards, placing growing pressure on communities. Limited water storage, inadequate drainage, encroachment on natural waterways and limited use of rainwater harvesting further increase vulnerability.Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Pakistan has called for greater attention to urban climate adaptation. With funding from the Adaptation Fund, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and national and local partners, a multi-level climate adaptation project is being implemented to strengthen resilience to water scarcity, floods and droughts.A major achievement was the installation of 5,000 household-level rainwater harvesting units. Of these, 2,500 units were installed in Rawalpindi and 2,500 in Nowshera, providing a combined storage capacity of approximately 7.86 million litres. The intervention demonstrates the potential of decentralized rainwater harvesting as a practical solution to strengthen household water resilience. The project also supported locally informed adaptation planning, with seven Union Council-level community plans developed in Rawalpindi and eight Neighborhood Council-level plans in Nowshera. These plans enabled communities to identify local climate risks and prioritize actions to strengthen preparedness and resilience.Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Odicea Angelo Barrios, Human Settlements Officer, UN-Habitat, highlighted the importance of strengthening climate resilience at the community level and linking local adaptation measures with broader urban development priorities. She appreciated the contribution of Shehersaaz as the implementation partner and acknowledged the active participation and engagement of communities in advancing climate adaptation and resilience.Mr. Waqar Syed, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Pakistan, highlighted the significant reach of the community-level component, which directly benefited 105,130 people and indirectly benefited approximately 200,000 people through climate adaptation, water management, awareness and disaster preparedness interventions. He emphasized the value of combining practical solutions, such as rainwater harvesting, with community planning, awareness and capacity building to strengthen climate resilience.Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director, Shehersaaz, acknowledged the active participation of communities and emphasized the importance of community ownership and locally appropriate solutions in responding to climate-related risks. Community awareness and capacity building formed another key component of the project implementation. Sessions covered climate risks, disaster preparedness and resilience, alongside practical environmental practices including solid waste management, the 4Rs, kitchen gardening, urban farming and compost making. Communities also received training in emergency rescue, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. She explained that to strengthen emergency preparedness, certified first aid trainings were conducted in collaboration with Rescue 1122, equipping school communities with essential skills to respond to emergencies. Awareness materials on disasters, climate risks and heatwaves were also developed and distributed in project areas.The completion of the community-level component represents an important milestone within the broader UN-Habitat Climate Change Adaptation Project and provides valuable experience for advancing climate adaptation in Pakistan’s urban areas. The project’s multi-level approach also highlights the importance of connecting national and institutional efforts with locally led solutions that respond to the specific needs and risks faced by communities.As Pakistan continues to face increasing climate-related risks, locally led and inclusive adaptation solutions will remain critical to protecting vulnerable communities and building resilient cities. UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to working with national and local institutions, development partners, implementation partners and communities to advance practical, sustainable and people-centred approaches to climate resilience.### ### ###Contact Details: For more information please contact: Ms. Faiqa AzizCommunication Officer, UN-Habitatfaiqa.aziz@un.org About the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. It is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat’s vision of “urbanization” encompasses all levels of human settlements, including small rural communities, villages, market towns, immediate cities and large cities and metropolises.Website: https://unhabitat.org.pk/LinkedIn: UN-Habitat, Pakistan - For Safe, Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Cities: Overview | LinkedIn

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Press Release

17 September 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 17 September 2026

Islamabad, 16 September 2026: A high-level multi-institutional delegation from Somalia, led by Mr. Abdiwali Ali Abdulle, Director General of Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), concluded a ten-day peer learning mission to Pakistan focused on strengthening Somalia’s digital public ecosystem.Convened by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country offices in Pakistan and Somalia, the mission brought together key Somali representatives from NIRA, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Somalia, and other financial-sector and development institutions. During the visit, the delegation engaged with Pakistani counterparts working across digital identity, digital government, social protection, taxation, digital payments and citizen service delivery.During the mission, the delegation visited the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to learn about Pakistan’s national identity system and its institutional arrangements. Discussions at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, together with relevant digital institutions, covered Pakistan’s digital public infrastructure, interoperability and the development of a national data exchange layer. The delegation also visited an e-Khidmat Centre in Lahore to observe how multiple public services can be delivered to citizens through an integrated platform.At the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the delegation reviewed the National Socio-Economic Registry and Pakistan’s approach to digital social protection payments. Discussions with the Federal Board of Revenue explored how digital identity and data integration can support taxpayer registration. The State Bank of Pakistan presented Raast, the country’s instant payment system, as well as the banking sector’s shared electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) platform. A session with local civil society organizations examined approaches to reaching women, displaced populations and communities facing barriers to registration.The mission concluded with the Somalia-Pakistan Technical Cooperation Roundtable, attended by Honorable Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, as Chief Guest. Supported by UNDP Pakistan and UNDP Somalia, the roundtable brought together senior representatives from key participating institutions to reflect on key lessons, partnership priorities, and technical pathways for continued collaboration.“We consider digital governance as an important instrument for improving public service delivery, institutional efficiency, accountability, and citizen inclusion. Parliament must be part of the transformation. It has an important role in ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, secure, accountable, and rights based. The Senate of Pakistan has itself been undertaking an important journey of digital transformation on the concept of paperless e-Parliament,” said Mr. Gilani in his remarks.“This mission has given us an opportunity to learn from Pakistan’s experience and identify what can be adapted to Somalia’s context,” said Mr. Abdiwali Ali Abdulle, Director General, NIRA. “Pakistan has valuable experience in areas including digital identity, digital finance, social protection and interoperability, while Somalia’s experience with mobile money and rapid digital adoption offers important lessons for Pakistan. This is, therefore, a partnership among equals, grounded in mutual learning and shared experience.”At the roundtable, participants validated the Somalia-Pakistan Partnership Action Matrix, which sets out agreed areas of cooperation with a focus on three broad areas: foundational and legal identity; digital public infrastructure and governance, including interoperability and secure data exchange; and financial inclusion and digital public financing, including digital payments, e-KYC, social protection disbursement and revenue administration.His Excellency Mr. Jama Hassan, Counsellor at the Embassy of Somalia, said, “Over the course of this programme, we have gained valuable insight into Pakistan's experience in developing an applied functional identity system and a wider e-governance system, digital ecosystem of public infrastructure. One important lesson stands out clearly: functional identity is not synonymous to number or databases.”“Legal identity is foundational to inclusive governance, opening access to services, social protection and finance. In Pakistan, UNDP’s partnership with NADRA has helped more than one million women secure identity documents. This mission is about sharing those lessons and adapting what works for Somalia while advancing trust, inclusion and data protection alongside technology,” said Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan.### For further details, please contact Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, fizza.bangash@undp.org About UNDP:UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

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