WASHINGTON, May 23: US Undersecretary of State Josette Sheeran Shiner will visit Islamabad from May 22-25, continuing a 5-nation tour to build international consensus for the UN agenda for reforms. She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other government leaders in Islamabad.

Undersecretary Shiner’s visit is part of a trip that has included stops in Oslo, Paris, Rome, and London for meetings with leaders including Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Prime Minister Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Aziz are co-chairs of the United Nations High-level Panel on Reform, of which Ms Shiner is a member. Prime Minister Luisa Diago of Mozambique is the third co-chair.

Prime Minister Aziz is hosting 15 panel members in Islamabad to discuss how the UN can foster greater development and help developing countries in transition from disaster relief to recovery, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth. Undersecretary Shiner will view an earthquake relief site on Monday afternoon before panel deliberations.

“Prime Minister Aziz has demonstrated strong, innovative leadership as co-chair of this critical panel,” said Ms Shiner. “I look forward to listening and learning about the United Nations’ humanitarian and development efforts in Pakistan, and the many ways to improve the system. We will also explore lessons learned in the critical aftermath of the earthquake in October 2005.”

In a statement issued in Washington, the State Department said that Ms Shiner will also advance the US-Pakistan Economic Dialogue on promoting growth and development.