New Country Representative joins United Nations Population Fund in Pakistan

Islamabad, April 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): Ms. Ann Keeling presented her letter of credentials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 7 April 2014 as the new UNFPA Country Representative in Pakistan, says a press release issued by UNFPA in Pakistan.

Ms. Keeling is a British citizen who has made a long – standing contribution to the development sector. Her 30 year career in human and social development has included posts in Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Caribbean, Belgium and her home country, UK.

She spent 8 years in Pakistan in the past with the British Council, UK Department for International Development (DFID) and UNDP. Ms. Keeling also held the post of Head of Gender Equality with the UK Government and senior posts with the Government of Papua New Guinea, and Commonwealth Secretariat.

She joins UNFPA from the NGO sector where she was Chief Executive Officer of the International Diabetes Federation and Founder of the NCD (Non Communicable Diseases) Alliance. She studied at Oxford University UK, Ann Arbor University USA, and the People’s University in Beijing, China. Ms. Keeling said UNFPA remains committed to improving the quality of life of the people of Pakistan and extends full cooperation to the Government of Pakistan.

“Significant progress has been made in 25 years since I first came to Pakistan” she noted “and it is critical for Pakistan’s future that progress continues to be made i n the social sectors. This is the right year to take stock since it is 20 years since the groundbreaking International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo.”

Ms Keeling committed UNFPA support for civil society organizations strengthening the maternal and reproductive health and rights of under – served communities of Pakistan and added “Pakistan remains a critical country globally for ICPD and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). I am delighted to be back.”

For more information, contact:
United Nations Population Fund
2-L Serena Business Complex,
Islamabad Serena Hotel,
Islamabad
Tel: 92-51-8355742,
Fax: 92-51-8355966,
Web: www.unfpa.org