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

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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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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Press Release

22 May 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 21 May 2026

Pakistan reduced malaria incidence by 10% in 2025 compared to 2024, but it still reported 1.8 million cases, as the country has not yet recovered from the surge triggered by the 2022 climate-driven floods. 25 April 2026, Islamabad, Pakistan – On World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls on all partners to intensify the response to prevent a resurgence in Pakistan and stresses that, for the first time, ending malaria in our lifetime is possible. In 2025, Pakistan reduced malaria incidence by 10% compared to 2024, but it still reported 1.8 million cases, as the country has not yet recovered from the surge triggered by the 2022 climate-driven floods – from 399,097 confirmed infections in 2021 to a peak of 2.7 million in 2023.Progress is at risk due to factors such as climate change, a massive global funding gap of US$ 5.4 billion and recent cuts in global health aid, which have disrupted health systems, surveillance, and campaigns, demonstrating how quickly hard-fought gains can be reversed.As part of World Malaria Day celebrations, WHO and partners have launched a global campaign to seize the opportunity to protect lives now and fund a malaria-free future, under the theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.”“With the tools and resources available today, together, we have the historic opportunity to offer a malaria-free world to our children and our grandchildren. WHO stands with Pakistan to continue strengthening the response, providing science-based technical support to build together a future where no family should lose a loved one to malaria.” In April 2026, WHO supported a country-led malaria programme review that visited health facilities across different provinces. The goal: to collect evidence and lessons learned to continue reinforcing prevention, surveillance, case management, evidence-based vector control, data systems, and outbreak preparedness at the federal and the provincial levels.In 2025, Pakistan screened about 16.9 million suspected cases and provided free treatment to most of the close to 1.8 million confirmed patients in collaboration with WHO, partners, the private sector and civil society – and with funding support from the Global Fund to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.Approximately 12 million nets to prevent mosquito bites were distributed in Pakistan over a three-year period from 2023 to 2025. In addition, community-based case management has been recently adopted and shows strong potential for hard-to-reach communitiesIn Pakistan, malaria transmission persists mainly in Balochistan, rural Sindh, and some districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths averted globally since 2000Since 2000, thanks to medical science and joint international and country-led efforts, 2.3 billion cases and 14 million deaths have been averted globally. To date, 47 countries have been certified malaria-free (of which two in 2024 and three in 2025), while 37 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases in 2024.WHO experts consider that eradicating malaria is within reach, particularly thanks to medical science and the development of new vaccines, treatments, malaria control tools and pioneering technologies – including genetic modification of mosquitoes and long-acting injectables.***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.intAbout WHOFounded in 1948, the World Health Organization (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 over 190 Member States across more than 150 locations to ensure everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. WHO has maintained a permanent presence in Pakistan since its country office was established in 1960.For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html or follow us on our social media:

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Press Release

22 May 2026

Media Update-2: United Nations Pakistan, 22 May 2026

Press Statement byDr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representativeon International Day to End FistulaIslamabad, May 23, 2026 - Obstetric fistula is one of the most devastating childbirth injuries a woman can endure. Fistula occurs when women do not receive care during prolonged obstructed labor; or when surgical injuries occur during obstetric or gynecological procedures. It is a stark reminder of unequal access to quality maternal health services.Fistula leaves women incontinent, often isolated from their families and communities, and burdened with profound physical, emotional and social suffering.Yet obstetric fistula is both preventable and treatable.No woman should suffer from this injury while giving life.On this International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, we reaffirm a simple truth: every woman has the right not only to survive childbirth, but to live with health and dignity.Globally, an estimated 500,000 women and girls suffer from obstetric fistula. These numbers are declining significantly owing to the sustained investments and partnerships for fistula treatment and prevention, yet more needs to be done. From 2003 to 2025, UNFPA supported more than 153,000 fistula repair surgeries worldwide.In Pakistan, the threat of fistula looms on the heads of pregnant women, especially teenage girls, not only due to lack of access to quality maternal healthcare but also from preventable surgical injuries (Iatrogenic Fistula).In Pakistan, a staggering 70% of cases of fistula are caused by surgical injuries. These sobering ratios demand immediate action for emergency obstetric care and the quality and safety of surgical services. An uncompromising commitment to specialized and standardized services and training for the next generation of healthcare providers across the health care system will save many women from this injury. UNFPA Pakistan broke the ground to address this evolving crisis by establishing a Regional Center of Excellence for fistula care, training and innovation at Koohi Goth Hospital (KGH) Karachi which has become a national referral hub for fistula repair for patients and a training facility for surgeons. For repairs, the Centre is aiming to treat around 800 fistula survivors every year. The healing, with a 96% success rate, goes beyond the operation theater and extends to psychosocial support, literacy, and vocational skills for survivors' complete social reintegration. For training, the Centre has hosted its first regional training for surgeons from high-burden countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan, which makes Pakistan a leader of fistula treatment in the region. Taking the challenge of surgically caused (Iatrogenic) fistula head on, UNFPA has conducted more than 5,000 competency-based trainings and developed a robust network of 23 specialized surgeons and a dedicated team of nurses and anesthetists. UNFPA also continues to invest in safe pelvic surgery workshops for young doctors across Pakistan. The cost of untreated fistula, measured in lost productivity alone, is estimated globally at nearly US$691 million each year. Every investment to end fistula mean an investment in women’s rights, dignity and economic participation. Every repaired fistula restores not only a woman’s health, but also her confidence, her social connections and her future.The solutions are clear: prevent fistula from happening through universal access to quality maternal healthcare and training of surgeons; and treat fistula with timely repair and rehabilitation and address stigma attached to the survivors.Pakistan has the expertise, partnerships and commitment needed to end obstetric fistula. What is required now is sustained investment and collective action. On this day to End Fistula, let us renew our commitment to a future where no woman suffers a preventable childbirth injury, and every woman can live with the health, dignity and opportunity she deserves.********For more informationMariyam Nawaz, Communications Analyst, UNFPA Pakistan | mnawaz@unfpa.org پاکستان میں فسٹولا کا خاتمہ — خواتین کا حق اور ملک کی ترقی یو این ایف پی اے نمائندہ ڈاکٹر لوئے شبانہ کا بیان — 23 مئی، فسٹولا کے خاتمے کا عالمی دن اسلام آباد، 23 مئی 2026 — بچے کی پیدائش کے دوران ہونے والا فسٹولا ایک بہت تکلیف دہ بیماری ہے۔ یہ اس وقت ہوتا ہے جب لمبی اور مشکل زچگی کے دوران عورت کو صحیح علاج نہ ملے، یا آپریشن کے دوران کوئی غلطی ہو جائے۔ یہ بیماری اس بات کی علامت ہے کہ بہت سی خواتین کو ابھی بھی اچھی طبی سہولتیں نہیں مل رہیں۔فسٹولا میں مبتلا عورت پیشاب روکنے سے قاصر ہو جاتی ہے، اپنے گھر والوں اور معاشرے سے کٹ جاتی ہے، اور جسمانی و ذہنی تکلیف میں زندگی گزارتی ہے۔لیکن یہ بیماری روکی بھی جا سکتی ہے اور ٹھیک بھی کی جا سکتی ہے۔نئی زندگی کو جنم دیتے وقت کسی بھی عورت کو اس تکلیف سے نہیں گزرنا چاہیے۔فسٹولا کے خاتمے کے اس عالمی دن پر، ہم ایک سادہ سی حقیقت کی توثیق کرتے ہیں: ہر عورت کو نہ صرف زچگی کے دوران زندہ بچ جانے کا حق حاصل ہے، بلکہ صحت اور وقار کے ساتھ جینے کا بھی حق ہے۔پوری دنیا میں تقریباً پانچ لاکھ خواتین فسٹولا میں مبتلا ہیں۔ مسلسل کوششوں کی وجہ سے یہ تعداد کم ہو رہی ہے، لیکن ابھی اور کام کرنا باقی ہے۔ 2003 سے 2025 تک یو این ایف پی اے نے دنیا بھر میں ایک لاکھ 53 ہزار سے زیادہ فسٹولا سرجریوں میں تعاون فراہم کیا ہے۔ پاکستان میں، فسٹولا کا خطرہ حاملہ خواتین، بالخصوص نوعمر لڑکیوں کے سروں پر منڈلا رہا ہے۔ اس کی وجہ نہ صرف معیاری طبی دیکھ بھال تک رسائی کی کمی ہے، بلکہ سرجری کے دوران لگنے والے وہ زخم بھی ہیں جن سے بچا جا سکتا تھا (ایاٹروجینک فسٹولا)۔ پاکستان میں فسٹولا کے 70 فیصد کیس آپریشن کی غلطیوں کی وجہ سے ہوتے ہیں۔ یہ تعداد فوری توجہ مانگتی ہے۔ ڈاکٹروں اور نرسوں کی بہتر تربیت ہی اس مسئلے کو حل کر سکتی ہے۔ یو این ایف پی اے پاکستان نے کراچی کے کوہی گوٹھ ہسپتال میں فسٹولا کے علاج اور تربیت کا ایک خصوصی مرکز قائم کیا ہے۔یہ مرکز پورے ملک سے آنے والی مریضوں کا علاج کرتا ہے اور سرجنوں کو تربیت بھی دیتا ہے۔ یہ مرکز ہر سال تقریباً ۸۰۰ خواتین کا آپریشن کرتا ہے اور 96 فیصد آپریشن کامیاب رہتے ہیں۔ علاج کے ساتھ ساتھ ان خواتین کو نفسیاتی مدد، پڑھائی اور ہنر سیکھنے کے مواقع بھی دیے جاتے ہیں تاکہ وہ دوبارہ اپنی معمول کی زندگی میں واپس آ سکیں۔ اس سینٹر نے بنگلہ دیش، نیپال اور افغانستان سمیت اس مرض سے زیادہ متاثرہ ممالک کے سرجنوں کے لیے پہلی علاقائی تربیت کی میزبانی کی ہے، جو پاکستان کو خطے میں فسٹولا کے علاج کا پیشوا بناتا ہے۔ سرجری کے باعث ہونے والے فسٹولا کے چیلنج کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لیے، یو این ایف پی اے نے پانچ ہزار سے زائد اہلیت پر مبنی تربیتیں فراہم کی ہیں اور ۲۳ ماہر سرجنوں، نرسوں اور اینستھیٹسٹس کی ایک وقف ٹیم کا ایک مضبوط نیٹ ورک تیار کیا ہے۔ یو این ایف پی اے پاکستان بھر کے نوجوان ڈاکٹروں کے لیے پیلوک سرجری کی ورکشاپس میں بھی سرمایہ کاری جاری رکھے ہوئے ہے۔ اگر فسٹولا کا علاج نہ کیا جائے تو اس سے ہر سال دنیا بھر میں تقریباً 69 ارب روپے کے برابر پیداواری نقصان ہوتا ہے۔ فسٹولا کے علاج پر خرچ کیا گیا ہر روپیہ دراصل خواتین کے حقوق اور معیشت میں سرمایہ کاری ہے۔ ہر کامیاب آپریشن ایک عورت کی صحت کے ساتھ ساتھ اس کا اعتماد اور اس کا مستقبل بھی واپس لاتا ہے۔ حل سامنے ہیں: اچھی زچگی کی سہولتیں سب تک پہنچائی جائیں، ڈاکٹروں کو بہتر تربیت دی جائے، بروقت آپریشن کیا جائے اور متاثرہ خواتین کے ساتھ امتیازی سلوک ختم کیا جائے۔پاکستان کے پاس اس مسئلے کو حل کرنے کی صلاحیت، ساتھی ادارے اور عزم سب موجود ہیں۔ بس ضرورت ہے مسلسل سرمایہ کاری اور مل کر کام کرنے کی۔ آج کے دن آئیں ہم عہد کریں کہ ہم ایک ایسا پاکستان بنائیں گے جہاں کوئی بھی عورت بچے کو جنم دیتے ہوئے اس تکلیف کا شکار نہ ہو اور ہر عورت صحت، عزت اور مواقع کے ساتھ زندگی گزارے۔ مزید معلومات کے لیےمریم نواز، کمیونیکیشنز تجزیہ کار، یو این ایف پی اے پاکستانmnawaz@unfpa.org

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Press Release

22 May 2026

Media Update-2: United Nations Pakistan, 21 May 2026

The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Common Management Unit of leads a consultation to adapt national policies to the latest international guidelines in partnership with the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Pakistan Paediatric Association.21 May 2026, Islamabad, Pakistan – The Common Management Unit for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (CMU) at Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) convened a two-day consultation at WHO’s Country Office to enhance the response to childhood tuberculosis (TB), a deadly disease that it is estimated affects more than 93,600 children in Pakistan.Under CMU leadership, the consultation aimed to align national policies with the latest WHO international guidelines to tackle an infection that is curable and preventable.It is estimated that children account for at least 14% of the total 669,000 TB cases registered in Pakistan, which bears 73% of the burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and is the fifth most affected country in the world.The roundtable discussion, organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Paediatric Association, focused on how to integrate the latest WHO science-based guidelines into national policies, taking into account lessons learned from the implementation of MSF’s TACTiC (Test, Avoid, Cure TB in Children) initiative.WHO recommendations include, among others, a 4-month TB treatment regimen, TB preventive treatment, new all-oral 6-9 months regimens for drug-resistant TB, and a family-centred, decentralized model of care and treatment-decision algorithms.“Under the leadership of senior management of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the Common Management Unit, Pakistan has prioritized paediatric tuberculosis as a critical programmatic gap, in line with recommendations of the Joint Programme Review Mission 2025. The programme has advanced integrated, child-focused interventions, including standardized clinical diagnosis, systematic household contact investigation, and scale-up of TB preventive therapy, while embedding services within primary healthcare and child health platforms. Strengthened engagement with private providers and improved surveillance systems are enhancing case detection, notification, and treatment outcomes. These strategic actions are being institutionalized through the forthcoming National Strategic Plan to ensure sustained, measurable reductions in the burden of tuberculosis among children”, said CMU’s TB Programme Manager Dr Faisal Siraj.“Children are among the most vulnerable to developing TB because diagnosing the disease is more challenging, and the risk of severe disease is higher compared to adults,” said Dr. Florian Götzinger, National Implementer for MSF’s TACTiC initiative. “We are implementing new WHO diagnostic algorithms to support doctors in initiating treatment early, even when laboratory tests are unavailable or inconclusive.”Tuberculosis causes 51,000 deaths annually in Pakistan. Every day, over 1,800 new cases arise in the country and 140 people die from tuberculosis. Globally, according to the WHO Global TB Report 2025, an estimated 1.2 million children developed TB in 2024. Many children are still missed, go undiagnosed, or are diagnosed too late.“Protecting children from TB is not only a medical responsibility — it is a moral imperative and an investment in a healthier and more prosperous future for Pakistan,” WHO Deputy Representative in Pakistan Ellen Thom said during the consultation. “WHO commends Pakistan’s commitment to end childhood tuberculosis and remains committed to supporting Pakistan in accelerating science-based efforts to ensure that every child at risk of TB is reached and protected through preventive care, early diagnosis, and timely treatment when necessary. Our goal is to reach every child, regardless of social or economic status, no matter where they live or who they are.” ***For additional information, please contact:WHO:José Ignacio Martín Galán, Head of Communications, WHO Pakistan: jomartin@who.intMSF:Yasin Kamran: National Communications Manager, MSF Pakistan : msf-pakistan-com@msf.orgAbout WHOFounded in 1948, the World Health Organization (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 over 190 Member States across more than 150 locations to ensure everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. WHO has maintained a permanent presence in Pakistan since its country office was established in 1960. For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.htmlAbout MSFMédecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. Founded in 1971, MSF today works in more than 70 countries, with teams made up of health and medical care professionals, logisticians, administrative staff, communications specialists, and other skilled experts. Our work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. MSF has been working in Pakistan since 1986.

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Press Release

22 May 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 22 May 2026

Islamabad, 21 May 2026 – The European Union (EU)-funded ‘Deliver Justice Project’ concluded in Islamabad, marking five years of strengthening access to justice, improving people-centred justice services, and advancing rule of law reforms across Pakistan.Jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the project worked across Islamabad, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to support justice and security institutions, civil society, and local communities.The closing event brought together representatives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, provincial justice and security institutions, civil society, media, and communities to reflect on the project’s impact and the partnerships that made it possible. Champions of justice from KP and Balochistan were also recognized for their contributions to promoting more accessible and inclusive justice services.On the occasion, H.E. Mr. Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, said, “The EU is committed to helping Pakistan provide an improved, more efficient, safer, and more accessible justice system to its citizens. Through this project, we've been able to support the justice sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.”The event highlighted the project’s impact through testimonials and conversations with women lawyers, women police officers, and community members who benefited from legal awareness, legal aid, and justice services under the initiative. An interactive Impact Hub showcased achievements, research, and personal stories from across the project areas.Honourable Justice Shahid Waheed, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, attended the event as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he noted, “The justice sector across the world is undergoing profound transformation. Courts and justice institutions are increasingly expected not only to decide disputes, but also to deliver justice that is accessible, inclusive, efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of society. In developing democracies, particularly, justice institutions carry an even greater responsibility: to reinforce public trust, protect constitutional rights, and ensure that no individual or community is left behind."A panel discussion on the future of the rule of law in Pakistan explored how sustained collaboration can help make justice systems more responsive, inclusive, and accessible for all. Moderated by Ms. Shahzada Ahmad, Programme Manager, UNDP Pakistan, the discussion featured insights from Judge Muhammad Amir Munir, Director General, Federal Judicial Academy; Ms. Munizae Jehangir, Senior Journalist; Mr. Muhammad Mudassar Javed, CEO, SHARP; and Ms. Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Member of the National Assembly.“We have much to be proud of,” said Ms. Van Nguyen, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP Pakistan. “Over the past five years, the Deliver Justice project has reminded us that behind every policy reform or institutional improvement are real people – women accessing legal aid, police offers serving communities with greater confidence, and citizens better able to understand and claim their rights. Ultimately, justice matters only when people can experience it in their everyday lives with fairness, protection, and dignity. That is the true measure of progress.” At the occasion, Mr. Troels Vester, Representative UNODC Pakistan, said, “The Deliver Justice Project (DJP) reflects what can be achieved through strong partnerships, institutional ownership, and long-term commitment to rule of law reforms. Over the past five years, the DJP has strengthened criminal justice institutions across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through legislative reforms, digital transformation, citizen-centric policing, prison modernisation, and enhanced access to justice. Most importantly, these reforms are now being sustained and institutionalised by the Government, ensuring that the impact of this partnership will continue well beyond the project lifecycle.To highlight the link between the rule of law, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment, prison industries from KP presented handmade handicrafts, furniture, and artwork produced by inmates as part of their vocational training. The dedicated marketplace underscored how skills development can support dignity, rehabilitation, and future livelihoods.Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, remarked: “Delivering justice means ensuring that every woman and girl, especially those facing multiple forms of discrimination, can access safe, responsive, and gender-sensitive justice services. Through this partnership, we have worked closely with institutions, communities, and women leaders to strengthen pathways to justice, amplify women’s voices, and promote accountability. The progress achieved under the Deliver Justice Project demonstrates the power of collaborative action in advancing gender equality and upholding the rights and dignity of all. The momentum should continue to serve women and girls in Pakistan.”The 20-million-Euro Deliver Justice Project was funded by the European Union. ###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 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 additional information, please contact:Samar Saeed Akhtar, Communication, Press and Information Officer at The European Union Delegation to Pakistan, samar-saeed.akhtar@eeas.europa.euFizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.org Rizwana Rahool, Communications Officer, UNODC at rizwana.asad@un.org, 030198564255Erum Fareed, Communications Officer, UN Women Pakistan, at erum.fareed@unwomen.org, 0326 8474546

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Press Release

20 May 2026

Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 19 May 2026

A new ILO report warns that without stronger, more inclusive lifelong learning systems, the digital, green and demographic transformations risk deepening inequality.GENEVA (ILO News) – As digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition, and demographic shifts reshape labour markets worldwide, a new ILO report calls on governments to raise lifelong learning to a central pillar of economic and social policy.Drawing on new worker surveys, online vacancy analysis, institutional data and a review of 174 studies on what works in training, the report Lifelong learning and skills for the future warns that without stronger investment in inclusive learning systems, these transformations risk widening inequalities between and within countries“Lifelong learning is the bridge between today’s jobs and tomorrow’s opportunities. It is not only about employability and productivity, but also about supporting decent work, driving true innovation and building resilient societies, making it a central element of any successful strategy for sustainable growth and development,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.A changing skills landscape across countries risks widening inequalitiesAs the world of work undergoes profound change, this has significant implications for skills requirements. Digital technologies, including AI, are changing how work is done, while the shift to environmentally sustainable economies is reshaping production systems and jobs. At the same time, population ageing in many regions is placing greater demands on older workforces and increasing care needs.Only 16 per cent of people aged 15 to 64 reported that they took part in structured training in the year prior to being interviewed, with little difference across countries. Among full-time, permanent workers in formal firms, participation is higher, with 51 per cent receiving training from their employer. This gap shows clear inequalities in access to learning, especially between formal and informal workers and across education levels.The report shows that workers with less formal education, in informal jobs and/or smaller enterprises predominantly “learn-by-doing”, while others are more likely to learn from experienced colleagues and access structured training. This highlights the need for learning systems that better reflect how people gain skills throughout their working lives.Beyond digital and green skillsA key finding of the report is that focusing narrowly on technical skills is not sufficient.Across countries at different income levels, employers increasingly seek combinations of skills. Digital and green competencies are important, but they are often required alongside foundational cognitive, socio-emotional and manual skills. Workers with these “rounded” skill profiles are more likely to access jobs with higher wages and improved working conditions.Original ILO analysis of online vacancy data shows strong demand for a mix of digital, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Socio-emotional skills alone account for more than half of those requested in countries like Brazil, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, for example, and over 40 per cent in Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, and Uruguay. Cognitive and technical skills are also widely in demand.For now, AI-specific skills only make up a small share of overall skills demand. This demand is expected to grow but it also reflects the fact that many workers use ready-to-use AI tools that don’t require specialist knowledge. Instead, they rely on strong foundational skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, and social abilities.The ILO estimates that globally, 32 per cent of workers perform environmentally relevant tasks. The report cautions that jobs linked to the green transition are not automatically decent jobs. Without the right mix of skills and policies, these new opportunities may not deliver improved working conditions.The report also highlights growing care needs, with the global need for long-term care workers expected to grow from 85 million in 2023 to 158 million by 2050. Yet many paid care workers still face poor working conditions, highlighting that skills are often undervalued and underpaid in sectors that provide crucial services for societies.Lifelong learning as a policy priorityThe report calls for a comprehensive approach to lifelong learning, one that extends beyond formal education to encompass learning and training opportunities in workplaces and across society as a whole.Lifelong learning is about more than employability and productivity. It underpins decent work, genuine innovation, active citizenship, and social inclusion, making it a cornerstone of any effective strategy for sustainable growth and development.Yet in many countries, learning systems remain fragmented and chronically underfunded. Even in high-income countries, 34 per cent allocate less than 1 per cent of their public education budgets to adult learning and education. In low-income countries, that figure climbs to 63 per cent.High-income countries generally benefit from more developed institutional frameworks, but significant challenges persist, including poor coordination between institutions and unequal access to learning opportunities. In lower-income countries, structural barriers such as limited financing and inadequate infrastructure further constrain the reach and effectiveness of learning systems.For further information please contact:Muhammad NumanCommunication OfficerEmail: numan@ilo.orgMobile: +92 303 5000041

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