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

15 April 2025

Annual Report 2024

This annual report is proof positive that development works. It shows how the UN in Pakistan, together with our many partners, changed lives for the better in 2024. In words, numbers and images, this report outlines how our solutions for sustainable development sought to deliver the greatest impact for people in the greatest need.

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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

12 March 2026

From Risk to Relief: Transforming Medical Waste Management in Pakistan

Many district and tehsil hospitals across Pakistan face a serious but often overlooked problem: the safe disposal of hazardous medical waste. Used syringes, blood-soaked bandages, and other infectious materials are generated every day, yet proper disposal systems are either outdated or unavailable. In some cases, waste is stored for long periods, handled manually, or disposed of in ways that put hospital staff, waste handlers, patients, and nearby communities at risk. The absence of reliable incineration facilities creates a critical gap in the healthcare system, directly affecting both public health and environmental safety.To address this challenge, with support from the Global Fund and in coordination with the Common Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoHSRC), UNOPS, under its “Developing Infrastructure for Incinerator Installation” project, has successfully constructed facilities in seven district hospitals across different provinces. The medical waste incinerators were procured by UNOPS Geneva office and have been installed in four hospitals as of now, including Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Muridke, Punjab; Institute of Chest Diseases (ICD), Kotri, Sindh; Civil Hospital, Mithi, Sindh; and Teaching Hospital, Khuzdar, Balochistan. The next installation is planned at Teaching Hospital, Turbat. Two sites are currently under construction, and work on the remaining three sites will begin in the next few weeks. Built according to international safety standards, with cavity walls and a properly designed ventilation system to ensure safe and controlled operation. Each installed incinerator can dispose of up to 150 kilograms of medical waste per hour, enabling hospitals to manage their waste efficiently, safely, and securely on-site.The impact goes beyond the structure itself. Staff at all these hospitals have received hands-on operational training, including live demonstrations of the full incineration cycle and safe waste-handling procedures. With four incinerators now operational as of now , they will significantly reduce infection risks for patients and surrounding communities, protect waste handlers from injury, and prevent harmful pollutants from entering the environment.“The installation of the incinerator at THQ Hospital Muridke marks a major step forward in safely managing infectious medical waste within the hospital. This initiative not only protects our healthcare workers but also safeguards our patients, the surrounding community, and the entire population of Muridke.”Dr. Ahmed Ammar Asif, Medical Superintendent, THQ Hospital Muridke This initiative demonstrates UNOPS’ strong expertise in infrastructure development and procurement globally, particularly in complex and high-challenge environments. By delivering safe, standards-compliant facilities and building local capacity, UNOPS is helping to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system in a practical and lasting way. The impact goes beyond waste disposal. It means safer hospitals for patients, improved working conditions for healthcare staff, and healthier communities. This project closes a long-standing gap in the health system and contributes directly to better health outcomes and responsible waste management for the future.

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Story

04 March 2026

The Alchemy of Glaciers

In Pakistan’s northern mountains, where glaciers both sustain life and threaten it, women are transforming climate risk into livelihoods with support from UNDP’s GLOF-II Project.In Upper Chitral, Ayesha tends rows of beehives that have become her family’s lifeline after repeated climate-induced floods destroyed her home. Trained in climate-resilient beekeeping through the project, she now produces and sells honey in local markets, generating steady income for her household. “The bees carried me through when everything was washed away,” she says. Across the region, similar transformations are unfolding. In Kalam, Parveen has turned her small kitchen garden into a thriving enterprise, producing vegetables at commercial scale after receiving training, seeds, and climate-smart farming techniques. Her harvest now supports her entire family. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Sumaira and Fatima run a growing micro-business extracting high-value oils from local produce such as sea buckthorn, walnuts, and apricots using machinery provided through the project, cutting costs, increasing output, and expanding their customer base. Nearby, Laila leads a women-run wool processing unit that has doubled production while eliminating the dangerous manual labour that once caused serious health risks for workers. The improved technology allows women to produce yarn and handicrafts efficiently, access larger markets, and earn sustainable incomes. The GLOF-II Project goes beyond disaster risk reduction. By combining climate adaptation with skills training, equipment, and market access, it ensures communities, especially women, are not just protected from climate shocks but empowered to thrive despite them. In valleys where glaciers are rapidly changing the future, resilience is becoming a pathway to dignity,independence, and opportunity, one woman at a time.“Before UNDP’s support, I could grow only five to six sacks of vegetables, selling each for 4,000 to 5,000 rupees. But in 2024, I was able to make a profit of around $2,500, making my garden the provider of the family.” – Parveen, KalamStory by Shameen Raza, Communications & Reporting Officer, GLOF-II Project, UNDP Pakistan

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Story

04 March 2026

When the Skies Cleared

Amina, a mother of six from Bishonai Kalay in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner Valley, lost everything in minutes. When a deadly cloudburst struck in August 2025, floodwaters tore through her village, sweeping away her crops, farmland, belongings, and the family’s only goat. “We can barely afford food now, let alone warm clothes for winter,” she says.Her husband, paralyzed for two years, cannot work. The harvest meant to sustain the family through winter vanished overnight. Like thousands across Buner, Amina now lives in an emergency tent, struggling with fear each time dark clouds gather. The devastation was widespread. Across Pakistan, the 2025 monsoon floods affected millions, destroyed homes, and wiped out vast stretches of farmland, reopening wounds still fresh from the catastrophic floods of 2022. UNDP teams were among the first responders in Buner, Swat, and Shangla, delivering agricultural toolkits, heat-efficient cooking stoves, and rapidly assessing damaged schools, health facilities, water systems, and roads to guide recovery. In November, Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, visited Pakistan to reaffirm UNDP’s long-term commitment to climate-resilient recovery. Speaking at a relief distribution in Buner, she praised the strength of survivors and emphasized that emergency support is only the first step toward rebuilding safer, stronger communities. Drawing on lessons from the 2022 Flood Recovery Programme, UNDP is pairing immediate relief with long-term solutions, from climate-resilient livelihoods and infrastructure to early warning systems and clean energy. For families like Amina’s, recovery is just beginning. But with sustained support, it is no longer a journey they must face alone.“Together with our partners, we will continue to advance climate-resilient farming, clean energy solutions, disaster risk reduction and the restoration of essential infrastructure, ensuring that recovery leads to lasting resilience.” – Shoko Noda, UN ASG and Director of UNDP Crisis Bureau Story by Muhammad Omer Hayat, Communications Officer, UNDP Pakistan; field quotes from Syeda Zainab, Programme Management Specialist and Rabiya Kamran, Communications Support Officer

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Story

20 February 2026

Health on wheels for flood-affected communities in Pakistan

19 February 2026, Islamabad/Lahore – “They didn’t just bring medicine; they brought the hospital to our doorstep,” says Haider, a local farmer from Jhook Dargai village. He is one of the 250 000 people affected by the 2025 monsoon floods in Punjab who have been prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to receive essential health services, as part of the response funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).Haider and his family were visited by a doctor in one of the mobile health units deployed by WHO in collaboration with the Alkhidmat Health Foundation (AKHF) and the District Government of Jhang. The intervention was designed specifically to bridge the gap for hard-to-reach communities with significant mobility and financial barriers – with particular attention to women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.For farmers like Haider, the medical camps brought new hope. “The floods took our crops and our savings. When my wife, Sakina, and our little daughter, Fatima, began showing signs of extreme fatigue and weakness, I didn’t know where to turn. The local health facilities were inaccessible, and we had no money for transport or private clinics.”The mobile health teams performed rapid blood testing for Haider and his family – services normally unavailable in such remote areas. The tests revealed that both Sakina and Fatima were suffering from severe anaemia, a common consequence of the emergency triggered by the floods. They were immediately provided with medical counselling and essential medications, free of charge.By providing maternal, newborn, and child health services, ultrasound diagnostics, and rapid testing at no cost, the mobile units have helped ease the financial hardship of families already pushed to the brink by the 2025 climate-driven floods.The impact of the camp extended far beyond clinical treatment. Haider was among more than 300 community members, including students and local volunteers, who participated in intensive awareness-raising sessions. These sessions, supported by WHO Pakistan, utilized information, education, and communication materials to empower the communities with knowledge on epidemic prevention and the management of nutritional deficiencies. “The volunteers visited our homes and schools, teaching us how to protect ourselves from waterborne diseases,” says Haider.Medical camp supported by WHO for people affected by the 2025 floods in Punjab, Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanThe network of AKHF volunteers remains active in the village, meticulously visiting households to ensure that vital health counselling and life-saving information take root.A patient receives prescribed medicines after being checked up in a WHO-supported mobile health unit. Photo credit: WHO PakistanIn villages like Jhook Dargai, the partnership between WHO, CERF, Pakistan and AKHF has contributed to improving public health and restoring dignity.CERF early financing enabled Pakistan’s health sector to rapidly provide essential services following the 2025 floods, supporting timely life-saving interventions for displaced and vulnerable populations across the most severely affected districts of Punjab.The beneficiaries of WHO interventions supported by CERF are much more than numbers. They are mothers, daughters, sons, grandparents, and fathers like Haider.Haider’s family is no longer “unreachable”, proving that, even in the wake of a climate catastrophe, the power of health partnerships can bring hope for all – regardless of economic status, where they live or who they are.

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Health on wheels for flood-affected communities in Pakistan

Story

13 February 2026

Mobilizing 400,000 WHO-trained polio workers to vaccinate 45 million children in Pakistan

“We climb mountains and walk through the snow for hours with great difficulty. There is also a risk of snow falling on us from the mountains. Yet we do not give up. We reach our assigned area to vaccinate all children and protect them from polio,” says Rabia, a polio worker from Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Rabia is one of the 400,000 polio frontline workers trained and mobilized by the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, who went door-to-door during the first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 (2–8 February). Their goal: to bring the life-saving polio vaccine to 45 million children.Over the past 3 decades, thanks to hundreds of thousands of polio workers and the unwavering commitment of the Government of Pakistan and partners, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8% – from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025. Experts agree: ending wild polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach, but only if all partners intensify the response, particularly in the remaining two endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.Polio worker Rabia (right) in Upper Chitral during the national campaign conducted in Pakistan from 2-8 February 2026. Photo credit: WHO PakistanThe WHO-prequalified polio vaccines are safe and effective and have been used in 195 countries to fight polio and shield millions of children from a disease that has no cure and can cause lifelong paralysis or death.During the recent February campaign, Rabia climbed steep mountains in remote areas to visit 146 houses and vaccinate 85 children.Like Rabia, Momina is part of a 2-member polio team in Booni, Upper Chitral. “I thank Allah that I have gotten this opportunity to serve and I am trying my best to eradicate polio in my country,” she says. About 400 kilometres away, Zeenat was deployed in the Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area, Rawalpindi. She spent her days walking for hours, traversing narrow alleys and climbing multiple floors of buildings to visit 242 houses and administer 2 drops of the oral polio vaccine to every child.“I am a mother too and I have also gotten my own children vaccinated for polio. Thank God, they are healthy and protected now,” she says. “This disease has no cure. I want all parents in the country to vaccinate their children with polio drops so they don’t fall prey to paralysis.”A WHO staff member and a vaccinator mark children’s fingers after administering polio drops in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, during the first 2026 national polio campaign (2-8 February). Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO Pakistan.A science-based polio operation to fight a global threatAs a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO provides technical and operational assistance to Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, launched in 1994. In this role, WHO supports Pakistan and partners in leading key components of the largest polio operation in the world. This includes science- and evidence-based vaccination campaigns, training and deployment of polio workers, outbreak response, poliovirus surveillance and monitoring and evaluation of vaccination drives. In 2024–25, WHO polio operations in Pakistan were supported by the generous contributions of Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Canada, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Germany, United States of America, the Gates Foundation and Rotary International.Carrying hope, two polio drops at a time“The vaccine is very important for children in Pakistan because polio can infect children and paralyze them. This is why we go house-to-house to vaccinate them so that no child is paralyzed,” says Neelum, a polio worker from Rawalpindi.Rabia, Momina, Zeenat, and Neelum’s dedication is a testament to the work of hundreds of thousands of polio workers who make their way across the country to keep families and communities safe from the global health threat of polio. On every street corner, on every snowy slope, in every remote desert, and at every river crossing – two drops at a time – they carry the hope of a healthier, polio-free future for all. Written by: Suzanna MasihEdited by: Dr José Ignacio Martín Galán

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Press Release

12 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 11 March 2026

UN Women Pakistan Launches “Mardangi Nahi, Kamzori Hai Yeh” Campaign to Redefine MasculinityIslamabad, 11 March 2026 — UN Women Pakistan has launched a new campaign titled “Mardangi Nahi, Kamzori Hai Yeh,” aimed at challenging harmful gender norms and promoting positive expressions of masculinity.The campaign uses powerful storytelling and creative communication to question the normalization of violence and harmful stereotypes associated with masculinity. Through digital storytelling, media engagement, and social media outreach, the initiative seeks to catalyze meaningful dialogue and inspire men and boys to play an active role in advancing gender equality.The campaign builds on the broader conversation around masculinity and accountability highlighted in a recent opinion piece by Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan published in The News International[1], where he emphasized that violence should never be mistaken for strength and that redefining masculinity is essential to achieving gender equality.“Gender equality requires more than commitment—it requires a shift in mindsets and behaviours,” said Jamshed M. Kazi. “Through the ‘Mardangi Nahi, Kamzori Hai Yeh’ campaign, we aim to challenge harmful stereotypes and encourage men and boys to stand for respect, accountability, and equality for women and girls.”The campaign highlights how true strength lies in empathy, responsibility, and standing against violence. By using creative storytelling and relatable narratives, the initiative aims to inspire reflection and dialogue around how societies define masculinity and power.The campaign will roll out across digital platforms and media channels, encouraging individuals, institutions, and communities to join the conversation and support a culture of equality and non-violence.By leveraging the power of creative communication, the “Mardangi Nahi, Kamzori Hai Yeh” campaign aims to contribute to a more inclusive society where women and girls can live free from discrimination and gender-based violence. About UN WomenUN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men.For further information please contact
Erum Fareed, Communications Officer, UN Women Pakistan, at erum.fareed@unwomen.org or +92 326 8474546.Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1643124306828790
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVthrwSCcCz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
X (Twitter): https://x.com/unwomen_pak/status/2031416508711317759
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/un-women-pakistan_iwd2026-forallwomenandgirls-genderequality-activity-7437181613815365632-u5qt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAhAmAIBwNzM8HvUXMQ02Fct_rvbsMzQviI

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Press Release

09 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 8 March 2026

International Women’s Day 2026: Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls Press Statement by Dr. Luay Shabaneh,UNFPA Representative in Pakistan On International Women’s Day, we reflect on the resilience, leadership, and contributions of women and girls in Pakistan and around the world. This year’s theme, Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls reminds us that investing in the rights, health, education, and opportunities of women and girls benefits entire families, communities, and nations. When women thrive, society thrives.This day comes at a time of profound challenges. Across Pakistan, the wider region—including Afghanistan, Iran, Palestine, Arab Gulf States, and other parts of the Arab world—and globally, many women and girls continue to bear the devastating impacts of conflict, displacement, and insecurity. Even outside conflict zones, too many women still face barriers to justice, health services, education, and fundamental rights. We must recognize that when maternal health facilities close or supply chains are interrupted, it constitutes reproductive violence – a grave violation of fundamental rights. Gender-based violence, harmful practices, and lack of access to sexual and reproductive health care remain critical obstacles to safety, dignity, and well-being. In Pakistan, where one in three women experiences gender-based violence, the path to justice remains obstructed; over half of survivors choose silence over reporting due to systemic barriers. True justice for women and girls goes beyond papers and laws; it requires survivor-centred institutions that protect dignity and address modern threats like technology-facilitated violence.In Pakistan, women and girls are at the heart of families, communities, and national development. They lead change as health workers, teachers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and advocates for equality. Their courage, determination, and leadership inspire progress and accountability across the country.UNFPA stands with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, and communities to ensure that every woman and girl can exercise her rights, access essential services, live free from violence, and realize her full potential. Our commitment is clear: a world in which every pregnancy wanted, every childbirth safe, and every young person’s potential fulfilled.On this International Women’s Day, let us turn the promise of rights and justice for all women and girls into action by investing in women and girls, protecting their rights, and ensuring equal access to justice, services, and opportunities. Because when women and girls succeed, Pakistan and the world thrive.********For more informationMariyam Nawaz, Communications Analyst, UNFPA Pakistan | mnawaz@unfpa.org

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Press Release

04 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 3 March 2026

UNICEFSTATEMENTStatement by UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekera, on the impact of renewed cross-border hostilities on children in Afghanistan and PakistanKATHMANDU/NEW YORK, 2 March 2026 – “UNICEF is alarmed by reports that children have been killed and injured in the recent escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan.“While we are working to verify these reports in coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other UN partners, it is already clear that children are bearing a heavy toll.“Following intense fighting, families who survived last year’s devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan are now being asked to evacuate displacement camps near the border for their own safety. The affected camps were established to provide essential support, including shelter, food, healthcare, safe water and sanitation, child-friendly spaces, and emergency education to 17,000 survivors, approximately half of them are children.“For families who have already lost so much, this renewed displacement compounds their suffering. Once again, children are being uprooted from what little stability they had regained and are exposed to heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, violence and exploitation.“In Pakistan, escalating tensions have also affected children and families in border areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Authorities have now reportedly closed 138 government schools as a precautionary measure, given recent attacks on schools, including a drone strike in Ghalanai, disrupting access to education for thousands of children. Routine immunization is also being impacted. Displacement and insecurity have increased protection concerns, including the risk of injury and loss of life, alongside risks posed by unexploded ordnance in affected communities.“UNICEF calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilian lives, and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Children must be protected at all times.”###Media contact:Ricardo PiresCommunication Manager & Deputy SpokespersonUNICEF GenevaTel: +41 79 481 5021Email: rpires@unicef.orgAbout UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF’s work for children in South Asia, visit www.unicef.org/rosa. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook. UNDPPRESS RELEASEUNDP Supports Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to Advance Institutional ReformThe Pakistan Governance Forum (PGF) 2026, convened by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s national policy dialogue. Held on 25-26 February in Islamabad, the initiative built on the momentum of the 2023 Governance Forum, further consolidating a national platform for institutional reform and policy dialogue.Organised under the Government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative, the Forum was structured around the 5Es: Equity, Exports, Energy, Environment, and e-Pakistan. Comprehensive discussions in 25 thematic sessions involving over 100 eminent speakers and more than 500 participants — including federal and provincial leaders, parliamentarians, senior civil servants, development partners, private sector representatives, academia, civil society, and students — PGF 2026 served as a whole-of-government and whole-of-society dialogue on Pakistan’s reform trajectory.The Forum was inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who emphasized strengthening public institutions for transparent fiscal management and equitable development. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted long-term planning and institutional reform as foundations for sustainable national progress. In his remarks, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk underscored the need to translate Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic stabilization into sustained, inclusive growth through stronger institutions, improved public sector performance, and renewed citizen trust. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan & Foreign Minister, delivered the closing keynote address on day one, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting national interests through peaceful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and advancing diplomacy in service of the people.Day two of the Forum was inaugurated by Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, who called for strengthening the Parliament to ensure transparent and citizen-responsive governance. UNDP also convened a dedicated policy dialogue at the Forum around the latest edition of its quarterly Development Advocate Pakistan publication. Moderated by Dr. Rizk, the session featured Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways; Sam Waldock, Development Director, British High Commission; Dr. Saba Gul Khattak, former Member (Social Sector), Planning Commission; and Dr. Mirjam Buedenbender Buchholz, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Germany.Ahead of the event’s closing by Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate, the Forum reflected strong United Nations-wide participation, underscoring the centrality of governance across sectors. Heads and senior representatives from multiple UN agencies contributed to panel discussions, including Fuad Pashayev, Representative, UNESCO; Geir Tønstøl, Country Director, ILO; Pernille Ironside, Representative, UNICEF; Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women; Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP; Gulnara Kadyrkulova, Deputy Representative, UNFPA; Thomas Conan, Deputy Country Director, World Food Programme; and Jawed Ali Khan, Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat.PGF 2026 reaffirmed UNDP’s role as a strategic partner to the Government of Pakistan in advancing governance reform, institutional strengthening, and inclusive growth, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and Pakistan’s long-term development vision.

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Press Release

04 March 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 2 March 2026

UNITED NATIONSSECRETARY-GENERAL STATEMENTStatement by the Secretary-General on IranI condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security.All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. The Charter clearly prohibits “the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table.I reiterate that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. The Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.New York, 28 February 2026 THE SECRETARY-GENERALREMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCILNew York, 28 February 2026 Mr. President, Excellencies,Ladies and gentlemen, I will speak directly to three areas today: the principles, the facts, and the way out. First, the principles. The UN Charter provides the foundation for the maintenance of international peace and security.Article 2 of the Charter clearly states: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”International law and international humanitarian law must always be respected. That is why since this morning, I have condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. I also condemned the subsequent attacks by Iran violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security.Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world.Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations.Mr. President,Second, the facts. The situation on the ground is very fluid. There are many unconfirmed reports. Here is what we know. About 20 cities across Iran -- including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar, and Tabriz -- have reportedly been attacked. In Tehran, large explosions were reported in the district that includes the presidential palace and the compound of the Supreme Leader. Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including – according to Israeli sources – Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, that I am not in a position to confirm. Iran's airspace been closed and the country is under a near-total internet blackout. The attacks have reportedly caused significant civilian casualties. According to Iranian media, an air strike killed at least 85 people and injured many more at a girls school in Minab, Hormogan Province. And a school in Tehran was also reportedly hit, causing two deaths. Mr. President, Military action is expanding rapidly across the region, creating an increasingly volatile and unpredictable situation and heightening the risk of miscalculation. According to Israeli sources, eighty-nine people have been injured in Iran’s subsequent strikes on Israel and there were also impacts in the occupied West Bank.Iran has announced that in reaction to US and Israeli airstrikes, it targeted US military assets in the region. These strikes have reportedly hit civilian areas and infrastructure in the countries that I have already mentioned. Indirect impact of falling debris was also reported in Lebanon and Syria. Most Gulf states successfully intercepted the Iranian strikes. However, the UAE reported that one civilian was killed by debris from an intercepted missile. In Iraq, there are reports of drone and missile attacks from both sides. There are also reports that Iran is closing the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping. Mr. President, The US and Israeli attacks occurred following the third round of indirect talks between the US and Iran mediated by Oman. Preparations had been made for technical talks in Vienna next week followed by a new round of political talks. I deeply regret that this opportunity of diplomacy has been squandered. Mr. President,Third, the region and the world need a way out now. I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities.The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.I strongly urge all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme.I note that the US President has reportedly talked with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s Foreign Minister has reportedly spoken to his counterparts in GCC countries and Iraq. Everything must be done to prevent a further escalation. To this end, I call on all Member States to strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to ensure nuclear safety. Let us act -- responsibly and together -- to pull the region, and our world, back from the brink. Thank you. *****Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-GeneralUnited Nations

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Press Release

23 February 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 21 February 2026

Second National Judicial Educators Conference advances judicial excellence in PakistanIslamabad, 20 February 2026 – The Federal Judicial Academy (FJA), through funding provided by the European Union and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Deliver Justice Project, convened the second annual National Judicial Educators Conference in Islamabad, bringing together 45 judicial educators from across the country.The two-day conference focused on accelerating the implementation of the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence, unanimously adopted at last year’s conference in October. The Declaration set out a shared vision for strengthening judicial education, emphasized the need for a National Judicial Education Framework, and proposed the establishment of a National Judicial Educators Forum to encourage collaboration and continuous learning.In the closing ceremony, Mr. Hayat Ali Shah, Director General, Federal Judicial Academy, expressed appreciation for the active engagement and insightful contributions of all participants. He remarked, “This Conference has not only reinforced our shared commitment to judicial excellence but has also provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among judicial educators from across Pakistan. The discussions and action plans developed over these two days will be pivotal in developing a unified curriculum and advancing the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence. I am confident that the establishment of the National Judicial Educators Forum will sustain this momentum and ensure that judicial education continues to meet the highest standards of quality, inclusivity, and relevance.”Throughout the conference, provincial and national judicial educators participated in interactive group exercises aimed at improving the training of judges and court staff. The discussions emphasized reforms in curriculum design and pedagogical approaches within judicial academies nationwide, with a focus on improving the justice sector's responsiveness to the evolving needs of communities.Speaking on the occasion, Ms. ?na Kelly, First Secretary, Rule of Law, European Union Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted, “Judicial academies are a key part of a stable, modern and informed judiciary. Through the capacity building of judges and their legal staff, the academies lead the way in sharing case and procedural knowledge and best practice. The Federal and Provincial Judicial Academies of Pakistan, therefore, are a core part and partners of our justice sector support to Pakistan now and for the future.”The two-day conference concluded with the development of a comprehensive action plan to implement the Islamabad Declaration on the Future of Judicial Excellence, aimed at modernizing judicial training practices and strengthening institutions responsible for delivering justice.Ms. Shahzada Ahmad, Programme Manager, Rule of Law Programme, UNDP Pakistan, emphasized, “We have made significant achievements in strengthening the institutional capacity of judicial academies in Pakistan. This forum and the successful implementation of last year’s Declaration will further advance this transformation that has people-centered justice at its heart.” She also thanked the FJA, provincial judicial academies, high courts, and the EU for their partnership in advancing the rule of law through the Deliver Justice Project.###Contact Details: For additional information, please contact:Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631Samar Saeed Akhtar, Communication, Press and Information Officer at The European Union Delegation to Pakistan, samar-saeed.akhtar@eeas.europa.eu About the Deliver Justice Project:The 20 Million Euro “Deliver Justice Programme”, is funded by the European Union and aims to support reform processes to ensure the delivery of people-centered justice, enhance access to justice for all, particularly women and less privileged groups, and improve service delivery of the security sector in line with constitutional safeguards and international standards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including the Merged Districts and Balochistan. The programme is funded by the EU and jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).The UNDP Rule of Law Programme is implementing a range of interventions to enhance security and justice sector governance in Pakistan.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 planet.Learn more at undp.org

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