Iran, UNDP to Discuss Expansion of Cooperation

Original source: Tasnim News Agency

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran and the United Nations Development Program plan to explore avenues for further expansion of cooperation in various fields, including the world body's development programs during UNDP administrator's upcoming visit to Tehran.

Helen Clark, the UNDP administrator, who also chairs the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), is expected to visit Tehran on October 21-23, with the purpose of deepening, broadening and invigorating the development engagement of the UN and UNDP with Iran, according to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) on Thursday.

During her stay in Tehran, Clark will reportedly hold meetings with a number of Iranian ranking officials, including Mohammad Javad Zarif, the country’s minister of foreign affairs.

The Clark’s visit is aimed at deepening, broadening and invigorating the development engagement of the UN and UNDP with Iran.

She will also seek concrete ways to improve UN/UNDP’s role in partnering the government to address its development priorities and achieve the goals set forth in the UN Development Assistant Framework (UNDAF 2012 – 2013) based on the national development priorities outlined in the 5th National 5 year development plan.

The visit will try to promote the UN/UNDP’s development priorities, specially human development, comprehensive growth, sustainable development and environment.

In a relevant development in September, United Nations Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Valery Amos traveled to Tehran for expansion of Iran-UN cooperation on humanitarian affairs.

Amos also met some high-ranking Iranian officials during her Iranian tour, and held talks on humanitarian assistance, and expanding cooperation between Iran and the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.