ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been re-elected to the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) by securing 52 votes from the 54-member United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

This overwhelming support constitutes 96 percent of the total tally, said the Foreign Office spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, adding that Pakistan's reelection to the CPC was a resounding validation of Pakistan's meaningful engagement within the United Nations as well as its contributions in the areas of international economic cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"We are hopeful that with our reelection to the CPC, Pakistan will continue to work hand-in-hand with the international community for promoting the shared goals of international cooperation and economic and social development, as enshrined in the UN Charter," the spokesperson added.

The Committee functions as the main subsidiary organ of the ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly for Planning, Programming and Coordination of the work of the United Nations.

The CPC is also charged with reviewing UN programmes and making recommendations to the UN Secretary General on translating legislative mandates into programmatic activities.

He said that Pakistan's presence at the Committee would help it contribute to the effective formulation of the programmes and budget planning of the United Nations.

Pakistan has been a member of this 34-member Committee since 1973, and with its latest reelection, would serve on it from 2021 to 2023 for another three-year term.

Pakistan is also presently serving as the president of the ECOSOC at the United Nations, which is one of the principal organs of the UN and the central platform for economic and social development, forging consensus and coordinating efforts to achieve internationally-agreed development goals.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020