Pakistan has urged the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to work closely with regional organizations, including South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), as the UN body helps shape the post-2015 development agenda that will step up efforts to achieve a world of prosperity, equity, freedom and peace.

"This year is an important year, a year in which we will take decisions to negotiate a transition form MDGs (Millenium Development Goals) to an inclusive agenda for sustainable development till 2030", Ambassador Masood Khan told UNDP's Executive Board on Monday.

Masood Khan spoke after UNDP Aministrator Helen Clark outlined a comprehensive report on the multiple activities of UN's global development network in the past year.

"Economic prosperity of the people of Pakistan is the principal priority of the government of Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif," Masood Khan told the board members.

In this context, he said, the UN organizations' efforts to realize the goal of gender equality must continue to be made in sync with national priorities. "As we know, women often face situations which enhance their vulnerability."

Source: APP