ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in areas impacting children and vulnerable communities.

The renewed resolve was expressed during a meeting between UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad on Monday.

During the discussions, Finance Minister Aurangzeb commended UNICEF for its valuable technical assistance and knowledge transfer efforts within Pakistan. He underscored the critical challenges facing the country, highlighting climate change and population growth as two of the most pressing existential threats.

Referencing the recently signed Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank, the Finance Minister noted that nearly two-thirds of the anticipated two billion dollars in annual funding over the next decade would be dedicated to tackling population-related challenges. He emphasized the importance of enhanced coordination to identify priority areas and design targeted interventions, along with the need for technical support and capacity building for relevant government ministries.

Minister Aurangzeb further stressed that effective collaboration between federal and provincial governments is crucial for the successful implementation and operationalization of these development projects.

In response, UNICEF Representative Pernille Ironside highlighted UNICEF’s ongoing engagement with various ministries and stakeholders across multiple sectors, with particular focus on child welfare and girls’ education. She also explored potential avenues to further expand UNICEF’s role and impact in Pakistan.

Both parties expressed their firm commitment to continue working collaboratively to address the complex challenges faced by children and communities throughout the country, reinforcing their shared vision for sustainable and inclusive development.