Pakistan wins election to key UN body

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Wednesday was re-elected to the United Nations (UN) Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) during an election in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi saying it reflected the country’s prestige in the international community, reported Radio Pakistan.

“Our re-election to this committee [CPC] is an endorsement of Pakistan’s pro-active role and engagement within the United Nations system,” she said.

Pakistan secured 48 votes from 50 member states present and voting, i.e, 96 percent of the tally. ECOSOC has 54 members.

The committee functions as the main subsidiary organ of the ECOSOC and the general assembly for planning, programming and coordination.

CPC is charged with reviewing UN programmes as defined in the strategic framework; recommending priority programmes; guiding the secretariat on translating legislation into programmes and making recommendations.

Besides, it also develops evaluation procedures, assists ECOSOC in its coordination functions and carries out periodic reviews of the implementation of important legislative decisions.

CPC is directed to cooperate with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and consult with the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU).

“Pakistan’s presence at the committee will help us contribute to the effective programme coordination and budget planning of the United Nations,” added the Pakistani envoy.

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Pakistan has been a member of the 34-member committee since 1973, and with the latest win, would serve it from 2018 to 2020 for another three-year term.

Moreover, Pakistan is also active as the Vice President of the ECOSOC representing the Asia Pacific Region. The council is one of the principal organs of the UN and is the central platform for economic and social development, forging consensus and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally agreed development goals.

Pakistan will be chairing the integration segment of the council next week.

Source: The Express Tribune