UN Assistant Secretary-General arrives to learn about emerging development needs

Monday, 6 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HAMPER UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Development Chief for Asia Haoliang Xu (right) UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Development Chief for Asia Haoliang Xu arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday for a six-day visit from 4 -10 April. “We are excited to meet and greet the UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Development Chief for Asia Haoliang Xu, as he arrives in the island for a six-day visit to Sri Lanka,” UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Subinay Nandy said. During his visit, which will be his second trip to the island nation, Xu said he will focus on learning more about the emerging development needs and expectations of Sri Lanka in a new political environment whilst strengthening UNDP’s role as a key development partner in Sri Lanka. “My second visit to your beautiful country comes at a time when there are many important changes taking place. I am here to learn more about emerging development needs and expectations, in this new environment, with the new Government in office,” Xu said addressing media in Colombo. “I also see this as a significant opportunity to ascertain the future direction of the UN’s support, and in particular, to strengthening UNDP’s role as a key development partner in Sri Lanka,” Xu added. He is scheduled to hold discussions with high-ranking state officials, civil organisations and development partners in order to identify the development needs of the country in the backdrop of the new political climate in Sri Lanka. During the visit the Assistant Secretary-General will visit the North and North Central provinces where he will meet with government officials, representatives from community-based organisations and beneficiaries and gain a first-hand understanding of the development priorities in the districts and further support needs. Xu visited Sri Lanka in February 2014 during former government of Mahinda Rajapaksa to observe progress made in UN development programs.