Development partners provide forum support
ISLAMABAD: International development partners on Tuesday endorsed the proposed development coordination forum and efforts by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and pledged their full support in materializing the proposed forum for better coordination in the future, according to a communicated.
Development partners were informed that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is in the process of establishing a Development Partner Coordination Cell in coordination with all stakeholders including Federal Ministries, Provincial Departments and Development Partners.
The ministry hosted a lunch to discuss the proposed Development Partners Coordination Forum in Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by Pakistan’s multilateral and bilateral development partners including; World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Embassy of the United States of America, USAID, British High Commission, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office ( FCDO), Canadian High Commission, European Union Delegation, German Embassy, KFW, GIZ, Swiss Embassy, International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Arab Emirates, the Republic of South Korea, France, AFD, Italy, AICS, Denmark and TiKA.
A government official said the proposed cell would ensure better coordination with development partners. “We are not looking for additional funding. This is for better use of existing resources,” he added.
“Many development partners also have duplications. So through the coordination cell within EAD, we will address different issues and streamline processes in consultation with national and provincial stakeholders.”
The general objectives of the proposed forum include; alignment of economic aid with national development priorities, better harmonization, increased transparency and results-based management.
“The way forward was outlined, including the establishment of sector working groups, the holding of semi-annual and annual meetings with the provinces as well as the Development Partners Coordination Forum (DPCF),” the statement added.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, including additional secretaries, joint secretaries, assistant secretaries and other officials also attended the event.
In his opening address, the Federal Secretary for Economic Affairs, Mian Asad Hayaud Din, recalled the government’s development priorities set out in Vision 2025 aimed at balanced and sustainable growth.
He further underlined that in order to achieve sustainable economic development, it is imperative to set realistic and ambitious goals for the future, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
