DUSHANBE, May 21, 2011, Asia-Plus -- State and prospects of cooperation between Tajikistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were discussed here on May 20 at a meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hamrokhon Zarifi with visiting UNDP Administrator, Ms. Helen Clark.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, the sides, in particular, discussed ways of achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and strengthening of national capacity to address modern challenges and threats as well as implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Tajikistan designed for 2010-2015. 

Covering the period 2010-2015, this UNDAF has been designed to support Tajikistan’s goals for its National Development Strategy (NDS) and the MDGs).  Developed through an extensive consultative process involving all stakeholders, it is also part of the donors’ Joint Country Support Strategy (JCSS), which came about as a result of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.  Therefore, this document complements the work of other donors, and builds on the UN’s comparative advantages.

Achievement of sustainable development, expansion of interaction in improving the nature management system, strengthening of regional cooperation in the field of rational use of water-and-energy resources, regional security, preservation of bio diversity, and strengthening of national capacity to respond to natural disasters and mitigate their effects were also among major topics of the meeting, the source said.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network.  It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.  UNDP operates in 166 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.