ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan and the Japanese Government have signed an agreement to launch a project worth US$3.9 million “for stabilization and economic recovery through social cohesion, local governance, and livelihood opportunities” for communities in Kurram and Orakzai districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The agreement was signed here Wednesday by Mitsuhiro Wada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan and Knut Ostby, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Japan, the Economic Affairs Division and Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
With generous support from Japan, the two-year project will assist more than 200,000 individuals, with a particular focus on the youth and the women. The project will use innovative approaches to engage youth in policy dialogues and sports/cultural events for social cohesion and trust building.
Employment opportunities will be provided to 1,300 youth through digital skills, incubation and skills training. Community organizations will engage in the planning process and rehabilitate 50 community physical infrastructure schemes. Thirty-five offices will be constructed for village councils to strengthen local governance. Two common facility centres for women entrepreneurs will be operationalized.
The project is aligned with the KPK Government’s development agenda and aims at building trust between communities and local government to promote sustainable livelihoods.
“The KPK Government is strongly committed to sustainable development of the merged districts. We appreciate the continued support provided by the Government of Japan for improving the conditions for the people of the merged districts,” said Muhammad Qaisar Khan, Additional Secretary, Planning and Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
While speaking at the ceremony Ms. Samar Ihsan, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Economic Affairs, said. “Government of Pakistan is committed to working with UNDP and the Government of Japan. The entire tribal belt has been severely affected by the two decades of insecurity and its after-effects. Stabilization and economic recovery of merged districts are important for durable peace and prosperity.”
His speech, Ambassador Mitsuhiro Wada mentioned that the project would not only support recovery and income generation but also enhance social cohesion and local governance to ensure sustainability of the outcomes. “Japan and UNDP have a long-standing partnership, and I greatly appreciate UNDP’s tireless effort and dedication to achieving sustainable and inclusive development in Pakistan,” he expressed.
Speaking on occasion, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby stated: “We are grateful to Japan for the long-standing partnership. “With generous support, we were able to expand and strengthen the efforts of the Pakistan’s Government, which are critical for achieving stability and sustainable development in the merged districts and bringing it at par with the rest of the country.”
Over the past five years, Japan has made a substantial contribution of more than US$24 million through partnering with UNDP in key areas of social cohesion, livelihoods, youth empowerment, climate change adaptation, electoral and legislative processes, and the rule of law and justice in Pakistan.
