KARACHI: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is closely working with USAID and Japan to mobilise resources for youth employment in Pakistan, said Country Director, UNDP Pakistan, Marc-André Franche on Monday.

He was leading a UN delegation to meet Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The meeting discussed Pakistan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and youth empowerment schemes, with focus.

Mr Franche said Sindh needs to meticulously plan and budget on resource mobilisation. He added the SDG Unit will become the focal point for mobilising resources in districts all over Sindh.

He further stressed the Youth Employment Programme – with focus on poor and vulnerable youth of the province – aim to help youngsters find employment opportunities in textile and refrigeration industries.

The Sindh chief minister stressed the provincial government is committed to reducing poverty.

“The government has started union council based poverty reduction programme in three districts of Sindh with the support of European Union and soon this will be expanded to the entire province,” Mr Shah added.

He further said Hazar Khan Bijarani, who has been designated as new minister for Planning and Development, will engage with development partners. Addition Chief Secretary Development, Sindh, Mohammad Waseem gave a brief introduction of three important projects initiated by the provincial government with the support of UNDP.

These include a $3 million Youth Employment Project (2015-17), Rs372.71m Sustainable Land Management Project to combat desertification in Sindh and a Rs600m scheme focusing on SDGs.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2016