Press Release

UN role in promoting technical regional cooperation discussed

14 October 2015, ISLAMABAD

Islamabad - In celebration of the United Nations 70th anniversary, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) facilitated an interactive panel discussion on the role of the world body as a committed partner in promoting technical regional cooperation here at Quaid-i-Azam University.
Moderated by Cesar Guedes, the UNODC representative, the panellists from UNODC and its counterpart Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), UNAIDS, UNHCR and WHO discussed their respective mandates in the regional context through which the technical cooperation and harmonisation are promoted.
The panellists said that countering illicit drug trafficking, eradicating polio, and reducing new HIV infections require close coordination and cooperation between Pakistan and its neighbouring countries and highlighted that UN agencies are providing a platform for the relevant parties to come together to find common solutions in their respective mandate.
The auditorium of the international relations department, Quaid-i-Azam University, was filled with officials from the government of Pakistan, the member states and students, who actively participated through their questions.
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 the role of the UN agencies from the discussion today. I hope there will be another discussion like this in future".
Along with panel discussion, information booth was set up with various display of pamphlet, information sheets, and pictures of every participating agency, which provided a timely opportunity to the audience to better understand the details of the role and the mandate of UN agencies, especially with regard to regional cooperation.

For further information kindly contact Rizwana Asad, Communications Officer via 0301-8564255 and/or rizwana.asad@unodc.org