Prime Minister receives UN special envoy for global education and addresses the meeting on Education in Pakistan

(2013-09-26)

UN Special Envoy for Global Education Mr. Gordon Brown called on the Prime Minister on 25 September 2013 on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He was accompanied by Ms. Malala Yosufzei.

The Prime Minister thanked Mr. Gordon Brown for his continued support to the government’s efforts to promote education in Pakistan. He said education was a high national priority. His government was committed to achieve all Millennium Development Goals including the goal of universal primary education. The government considered promotion of education at all levels an imperative for realizing socio-economic development of Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that his vision was to build an education system that promotes knowledge economy, creativity, critical thinking and innovation. Pakistan appreciated and welcomed international cooperation including the support of initiatives like Global Education First.

The Prime Minister also attended a meeting on “Education for All” hosted by Mr. Gordon Brown with heads of UN agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA, as well as bilateral and multilateral entities such as USAID, AUSAID, DFID, World Bank, European Commission, and NGOs engaged in promotion of education. Mr. Gordon Brown committed his continued support to the government efforts to promote education in Pakistan. He said international community had expressed readiness to work with the new government to ensure provision of education for all in Pakistan. The participants, including UN agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations, presented their proposals and suggestions to facilitate the government’s efforts in the field of education. The discussions would be followed up in another meeting in Pakistan later this year.

Islamabad
26 September 2013

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