ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday sought United Nations' assistance in developing flood forecasting and early weather warning system for Pakistan before the monsoon season.
Talking to Rauf Engin Soysal, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan here at the PM House, Gilani appreciated UN's support and Special Envoy's dedicated work for the flood affected people of the country.
The Prime Minister lauded the personal commitment of Ambassador Soysal, who extensively visited the flood affected areas to oversee work of all UN agencies during the relief and recovery phases after the unprecedented floods.
He commended Ambassador Soysal for his proactive efforts with Friens of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) partners for implementation of energy sector plan of action, which had been approved by the third FoDP Ministerial meeting in Brussels last year.
The Prime Minister called for building on the progress achieved in various areas of FoDP process and fast tracking of implementation of Malakand Development Strategy.
Gilani hoped that as Pakistan moves from early recovery to medium and long term construction and development phase, the UN will undertake an impact assessment of the international assistance routed through the UN agencies.
Ambassador Soysal briefed the Prime Minister about his meetings early in the month with the UN Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNDP in New York and the United States administration officials in Washington. He also apprised him about his efforts to generate funding for the early recovery phase of Pakistan's flood affected areas.
He said against the UN appeal, the donor countries have committed around 67 percent of the required amount out of which 40 percent has been disbursed in the relief and early recovery phases.
Ambassador Soysal agreed with the Prime Minister about the need of reinvigorating the FoDP, implementation of Malakand Development Strategy and establishment of an early flood forecasting and weather warning system as genuine needs for near future.
He informed the Prime Minister that the next Capacity Building Workshop for disaster emergency would be held in Turkey under the auspicious of FoDP, and a preparatory workshop on the same would be held in Islamabad.
He also apprised the Prime Minister that his office was working with the UNDP representative in Pakistan in the flood affected areas to help resume economic activities.
He assured the Prime Minister that he would continue doing his utmost to meet the targets set forth by the UN Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on his appointment last year.
Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Special Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
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