UN as a committed partner in promoting technical regional cooperation through its mandates 

Interactive Panel Discussion in Collaboration with School of Politics and International Relations Department, Quaid i Azam University Islamabad

 

13 October 2015, Islamabad -  In celebration of the United Nation's 70th anniversary, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) facilitated an interactive panel discussion on the role of the UN as a committed partner in promoting technical regional cooperation at the International Relations Department auditorium of the Quaid-i-Azam University .

Moderated by Cesar Guedes, the UNODC representative, panelists from the UNODC and its counterparts the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), UNAIDS, UNHCR and WHO discussed their respective mandates in a regional context; the discussion included the topics of technical cooperation and harmonisation. 

The panelists demonstrated that countering illicit narcotics trafficking (UNODC, ANF), finding durable solutions for Afghan refugees in Pakistan (UNHCR), eradicating Polio (WHO), and reducing new HIV infections (UNAIDS) all require close coordination and cooperation between Pakistan and its neighbouring countries. In addition, they highlighted that UN agencies are providing a platform for the relevant parties to come together and find common solutions in their respective mandates. 

The auditorium of the International Relations Department at Quaid-i-Azam University was filled with officials from the Government of Pakistan, various member states, and students who actively participated through their questions. 

Ms. Rida Tanvir, a student in the audience observed, "It was really good to see the high-level officials from many different UN agencies in one room, and I have learned so much about the work and role of the UN agencies from the discussion today. I hope there will be another discussion like this in the future."  

Along with the panel discussion, an information booth was set up with various displays including pamphlets, information sheets, and pictures of the participating agencies, which provided a timely opportunity for the audience to better understand in detail the role and mandate of UN agencies, especially with regard to regional cooperation.