Head of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Pakistan visits LUMS
LUMUN organised an enlightening discussion Oct 22, where Mr. Shah Nasir Khan, Head of the UN Resident Coordinators Office and Senior Strategic Planner for UN Pakistan spoke about the “Sustainable Development Goals in the Context of Pakistan”. He sought to highlight the role of the UN in Pakistan and how sustainability is prioritised, and also shed light on the prospects of Pakistan’s social ecosystem.
Mr. Khan has more than 15 years of extensive experience in strategic planning, research and development, policy and programming, relief and recovery operations, technical advisory, and institutional capacity strengthening. Prior to assuming his current role, he led the Policy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Unit at the UN World Food Programme.
The discussion shed light on the sustainable development goals and the role of the UN in the context of Pakistan. It also focused on introducing ways in which the youth of Pakistan can contribute to making an impact in Pakistan by working with the UN.
Mr. Khan elaborated on the current issues being faced in the country, keeping in view the depleting natural resources and the importance of conserving them. He elaborated, with examples, how the UN is working towards recruiting local talent to research, develop and implement new projects for sustainable development, particularly in Balochistan and South Punjab. He also talked about the hindrances and problems faced in the United Nations Development Programme’s progress due to Pakistan's unstable political environment, shifting governments and varying policies.