Dushanbe, 24.10.2016. /NIAT “Khovar”/. The press conference devoted on the occasion of 71st anniversary of UN foundation was held today, on October 24 in the United Nations Information and Resource Centre (UNIRC) located in Russian-Tajik Slovanic University. The conference was attended by representatives of Government of Tajikistan, UN agencies, Media representatives, partners and academia.

“At the present time, there are 23 UN Funds, Programmes and Specialized Agencies represented in the country, and for the past five years, about 390 million USD were invested through the UN Development Assistance Framework for Tajikistan (UNDAF)”, — Ms. Lucia Elmi, United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i on behalf of UN Country Team in Tajikistan has mentioned in her opening remarks.

According to her, last year UN signed with the Government the new Development Assistance Framework for 2016-2020 (UNDAF), committing to implement the priorities of the country, and to mobilize for this purpose more than 363 million USD.

“The fruitful collaboration of UN Agencies with Government and people of Tajikistan to address national and local priorities reflected in National Development Strategy 2030 and Midterm Development Strategy 2016-2020 that are fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal Agenda”, — she has highlighted.

“The Republic of Tajikistan joined UN on March 2, 1992 and became a very active member in initiation and support of various global initiatives”, — Idibek Kalandarov, Head of International Organizations Department of the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs of Tajikistan has remarked in his congratulatory message.

He also has marked the role of UN Agencies in development of Tajikistan and their support to population in addressing humanitarian needs in the past, nowadays and the future development perspectives.

It should be noted that on the occasion of UN Day, devoted this year to promote SDGs, Ms. Lucia Elmi announced “SDGs photo contest”, which aims to increased awareness and understanding of population about global goals and raise importance of achieving them for future sustainable development of Tajikistan.

Recall that 24th October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 and currently made up of 193 Member States. The Republic of Tajikistan joined UN on March 2, 1992.

Due to adoption of SDGs during the 70th General Assembly of 2015 the UN day observance in 2016 will primarily focus on SDGs advocacy, while continuing the organization of events aimed at increasing the visibility of the UN — Government of Tajikistan joint productive cooperation.