Haoliang Xu, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director, UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, arrived here on Saturday morning on a four-day visit.
His visit marks the celebrations of the 50 year anniversary of UNDP around the world and over 40 years of UNDP support in Bangladesh. This is Xu’s third visit to Bangladesh and the UNDP is looking towards a more strategic partnership with Bangladesh as it rapidly emerges as a middle-income country, said a press statement. During his visit Xu will attend the regional launching event of the Asia Pacific Human Development Report 2016 on April 26. In his capacity as Chair of the United Nations Development Group Asia-Pacific, Xu will be exploring how the UN in Bangladesh can best align its new development assistance framework with the Government’s seventh five year development plan-both of which will end as the nation reaches 50 years of independence in 2021.
UNDP will launch the Asia Pacific Human Development Report, titled ‘Shaping the Future: How Changing Demographics Can Power Human Development’ on April 26 in Dhaka. The report analyses population trends in Asia and the Pacific and puts forward a set of long-term strategies for sustainable development. Senior government officials, development partners, private sector and representatives from civil society and NGOs will attend the launching ceremony.
Xu will meet communities in the field during a day-long visit, participating in an open budget meeting and learning from people how they have improved their living conditions and work opportunities. Earlier in November last year, he made his second visit to Bangladesh after taking up his assignment. He joined the UNDP in 1995 and has worked in the Asia and Pacific and Eastern Europe and the CIS Regions respectively. Xu will leave Dhaka on April 26.
