UNICEF and SDG joint action

UNICEF and SDG joint action
Al-Bab Report


Islamabad, 8 March 2017 – The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Parliamentary Secretariat and UNICEF Pakistan share and work on common objectives to promote the welfare of children and women in Pakistan. To strengthen this mutual partnership, a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with a joint work plan was signed today between the Parliamentary SDGs Secretariat and UNICEF Pakistan Country Office.  The LoA signing ceremony was attended by the Honourable Mr. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan; Honourable Madam Maryam Aurangzeb, Minister of Information Broadcasting and Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs; Honourable members of the Parliament; and Ms. Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative, Pakistan. Speaking at the occasion the Honourable Speaker, Mr. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the Parliamentary Taskforce’s leadership role and the importance of partnerships to move Pakistan’s development agenda forward. He said, “The Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs is taking ownership in achieving the development targets in Pakistan with the help of its partners like UNICEF and GAVI. We want to build this Secretariat into a proper institution that will have a broader scope of work to achieve the SDGs in Pakistan.” The Agreement and the work plan will streamline the work of both partners to engage with parliamentarians and deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment to achieve the SDGs in Pakistan. This partnership will also help to strengthen the oversight role of parliamentarians through evidence based policy making and stronger accountability to achieve the SDGs. UNICEF Pakistan looks forward to an even stronger role of parliamentarians to improve the lives of children and women in Pakistan. Under the joint work plan, UNICEF Pakistan is working in partnership with government at federal and provincial levels, donors like GAVI - The Vaccine Alliance, civil society, research institutes and private organizations on issues such as nutrition, routine immunization, water and sanitation, quality education, child protection and Monitoring and Evaluation, among others. “I congratulate the honourable speaker for his leadership on SDGs and Madam Maryam Aurangzeb for her vision, commitment and continued dedication to the development agenda for the children and women of Pakistan. From MDGs to SDGs, it has been a long journey and Madam Aurangzeb and the Parliament of Pakistan have been at the forefront of efforts in achieving development goals for the country”. Ms. Angela Kearney - UNICEF Representative Pakistan “The Parliament of Pakistan appreciates the support of its development partners in translating our commitment to the SDGs into key development results to improve the lives of children” -Honourable Madam Maryam Aurangzeb while talking at the signing ceremony. The development goals in Pakistan can only be achieved through focused partnerships with parliamentarians, government departments and all development partners. The SDGs Secretariat at the National Assembly shows the significant commitment of the Government of Pakistan to its people, especially children and women. The Secretariat was established to provide parliamentary oversight, evidence based legislation and technical assistance to the parliamentarians in tracking progress of SDGs in Pakistan.