June 06, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 5: Alvaro Rodriguez has joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan as its new Country Director, it was learnt here on Monday.

Mr Rodriguez brings with him extensive experience in programme and operational activities of the UNDP in the Asia-Pacific region.

During his almost 17-year service in UNDP, Mr Rodriguez has served in Kenya, China, Thailand, and the UNDP headquarters.

His responsibilities over the years have included, management of UNDP’s Global Programme, oversight of UNDP’s knowledge networks, establishment of the Bangkok Sub-Regional Resource Facility (Surf), supervision of UNDP’s economic reform and poverty alleviation portfolio in China and Kenya, and recovery initiatives in the Horn of Africa.

In Pakistan, his responsibilities will include the oversight and day-to-day management of the operational and programme activities of the UNDP Council Office, ranging from programme design to implementation and assessment of results, and through these activities also support UN reform and delivering as one.

Now Jan Vandemoortele will be focusing on his role as the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Pakistan under the UN Reforms agenda.—APP