ISLAMABAD, Aug 22: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said the funding for the UN’s aid appeal for victims of Pakistan’s deadly floods rose to over $800 million, with the announcement of more pledges following his visit to United Nations.He was addressing a press conference here, after returning from New York, where he attended the special session of the General Assembly of the United Nations to discuss the situation in Pakistan following the devastated floods.
The Foreign Minister said the special session of the General Assembly of the United Nations was scheduled for one day, but it remained continued for two days, due to overwhelming response from the international community.
The Minister said the session marked a doubling of the $ 460m emergency relief appeal launched on August 11. More than 40 countries announced pledges amounting to $254.5 million at the special session of the UN General Assembly, bringing the aid total since the natural disaster struck Pakistan to $815.59 million.
He said the general assembly was convened on August 19, to create awareness among UN member states about the magnitude of the unprecedented national disaster that has uprooted more than 20 million people and caused huge economic losses besides posing a host of new challenges.
The countries who increased their pledges or announced fresh pledges on the occasion of General Assembly session of the United Nations.
Qureshi said the response and pledges from the international community was very encouraging despite the recession in the world.
He said he also held meetings with many foreign ministers including Secretary General United Nations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his stay in New York.
The Minister said the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan being held in Brussels in October 14 and 15 was being revised to include the demands and needs of Pakistan following the flood situation.
Referring to his interaction with international media in New York, the Foreign Minister said, all international channels are highlighting the floods situation and helping Pakistan to generate funds. He said, the American newspaper are also writing editorials in this regard.
He said he also interacted with Pakistani community and other NGOs to motivate them for highlighting the sufferings of the people who affected due to these floods.
The Minister said during his meeting with EU representative, they agreed to give more access to Pakistan in trade in EU countries to help Pakistan to promote its exports.
Qureshi said the General Assembly also passes a resolution unanimously to extend support to Pakistan following these floods.
The Minister said the session marked a doubling of the $ 460m emergency relief appeal launched on August 11. More than 40 countries announced pledges amounting to $254.5 million at the special session of the UN General Assembly, bringing the aid total since the natural disaster struck Pakistan to $815.59 million.
He said the general assembly was convened on August 19, to create awareness among UN member states about the magnitude of the unprecedented national disaster that has uprooted more than 20 million people and caused huge economic losses besides posing a host of new challenges.
The countries who increased their pledges or announced fresh pledges on the occasion of General Assembly session of the United Nations.
Qureshi said the response and pledges from the international community was very encouraging despite the recession in the world.
He said he also held meetings with many foreign ministers including Secretary General United Nations, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his stay in New York.
The Minister said the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan being held in Brussels in October 14 and 15 was being revised to include the demands and needs of Pakistan following the flood situation.
Referring to his interaction with international media in New York, the Foreign Minister said, all international channels are highlighting the floods situation and helping Pakistan to generate funds. He said, the American newspaper are also writing editorials in this regard.
He said he also interacted with Pakistani community and other NGOs to motivate them for highlighting the sufferings of the people who affected due to these floods.
The Minister said during his meeting with EU representative, they agreed to give more access to Pakistan in trade in EU countries to help Pakistan to promote its exports.
Qureshi said the General Assembly also passes a resolution unanimously to extend support to Pakistan following these floods.
No comments:
Post a Comment