NEW YORK: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal held a series of high-level meetings at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to sustainable development, international cooperation and development diplomacy. The minister began his engagements with a meeting with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo. The two sides reviewed the longstanding Pakistan-UNDP partnership and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in support of Pakistan's national development priorities. Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan's development agenda is guided by URAAN Pakistan, which is built around five key pillars: exports, digital transformation, environment, energy and equity. He appreciated UNDP's continued support in advancing Pakistan's sustainable development agenda, particularly in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening provincial implementation mechanisms and supporting national policy dialogue. The minister emphasized the need for enhanced international support to help developing countries address shrinking fiscal space, rising debt burdens and the growing impacts of climate change. He acknowledged UNDP's continued partnership in Pakistan's post-flood recovery and reconstruction efforts and called for expanded cooperation in climate resilience, disaster preparedness, poverty reduction and employment generation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation at the country and headquarters levels in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Later, Professor Ahsan Iqbal met United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed to discuss Pakistan's partnership with the UN development system, financing for development and ongoing UN reform efforts. During the meeting, the minister appreciated the leadership of the UN Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General in advancing the global sustainable development agenda and international financial reforms. He reaffirmed Pakistan's constructive engagement with the UN development architecture and stressed the importance of maintaining strong country-level coordination through the Resident Coordinator system. Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that although humanitarian operations in Pakistan are gradually transitioning, continued international support remains essential to strengthen national disaster response capacities and build long-term resilience against climate-induced disasters. He also reiterated Pakistan's support for the UN80 reform process, saying reforms should enhance the effectiveness of the UN's development work while remaining responsive to the priorities of programme countries. Concluding his engagements, the minister delivered Pakistan's national statement during the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2026, held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In his address, he reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through stronger international cooperation and sustainable development partnerships.