Visiting UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Regional Chief visits north

Wednesday, 12 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On 11 February, 2014, Haoliang Xu, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator & Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific undertook a visit to the Northern Districts, as part of his four-day visit to Sri Lanka.

The visit to the north, which saw Xu travelling to Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, was aimed at gaining a first-hand understanding of UN and UNDP’s work on the ground, the development priorities in the districts and further support needs. During the visit, Xu met and engaged in discussions with the Governor as well as the Chief Minister of the Northern Province. This was followed by a meeting with the Government Agent/District Secretary of Kilinochchi. During the discussions, Xu acknowledged the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka in addressing the recovery and development needs of the district, and the strong partnership with the UN/UNDP. Xu was also briefed about the development priorities in the districts and the remaining challenges that needed to be addressed. Subsequent to the meetings, Xu visited a UNDP supported resettled village in Piramanthanaru in Kilinochchi District where he engaged in discussions with community members. Thereafter, he travelled to Mullaitivu District where he visited the ice plant of the Fisheries’ Cooperative Union. A joint initiative between UNDP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) and European Union, the ice plant has helped local fishermen improve their income and production, while women from local communities have also been trained in processing dry fish. The Government Agent/District Secretary of Mullaitivu was also present on the occasion. Concluding his visit to the Northern Districts, Xu highlighted the impressive progress made by the Government in these districts, while noting that addressing further challenges to human and socio-economic development is a priority of the UN and UNDP in Sri Lanka. “UNDP has had a strong partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, providing support during the conflict, early recovery and now in the longer-term development phase. Moving forward, while building on this strong partnership, we will continue to support the work on local economic development, empowerment of communities, strengthening access to justice and the rule of law and providing support for environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” Xu stated.