City Desk
Islamabad:The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan welcomed Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director General of the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), for a high-level visit focused on strengthening cooperation and advancing sustainable recovery efforts in Pakistan.
The visit brought together representatives from CICETE, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Balochistan, UNDP, and community members supported through China-funded initiatives in Balochistan. Their experiences helped ground discussions on progress and lessons to date, opportunities to expand the existing portfolio, and priorities for future cooperation.
Building on the success of the first phase of China-supported post-flood livelihood recovery assistance in Balochistan, which benefited more than 162,000 people, the new phase builds on an established platform for recovery under UNDP’s broader flagship Flood Recovery Programme (FRP), bringing together partnerships, experience and investments to support flood-affected communities across the province.
“2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Over the past 75 years, our two countries have stood together through challenges and shared a deep bond of mutual trust, friendship and mutual support. As China and Pakistan move to build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, cooperation in improving people’s livelihoods has remained an important part of our enduring partnership. This project is a concrete example of China-UNDP-Pakistan cooperation in advancing resilient recovery and sustainable development. It also reflects our shared commitment to promoting the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and advancing the four Global Initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping. CICETE stands ready to work with the relevant Chinese authorities, UNDP and other partners to develop more ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood projects across Pakistan, so as to bring greater tangible benefits to the people of both countries and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region,” said Ms. Li Shuyin, Deputy Director General, CICETE.
Supported by the Government of China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) and implemented in partnership with the Government of Balochistan, the Post-Flood Agricultural Restoration (One Town One Product) Project will support approximately 110,000 people across seven districts through agricultural and livelihood assistance, technical training, targeted support for 3,000 women, and institutional capacity-building.
“Climate shocks can erase years of progress in a matter of hours. Recovery should therefore go beyond replacing what was lost; it should reduce the vulnerabilities that put lives and livelihoods at risk in the first place,” said Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan. “Through our partnership with the Government of China and the Government of Balochistan, we are connecting immediate livelihood support with skills, stronger local capacities and greater economic opportunity, so communities can recover today and face future shocks with greater resilience.”
Agricultural and kitchen gardening toolkits were handed over during the ceremony, marking a key milestone in implementation. The toolkits will support agricultural productivity and create income-generating opportunities for women through kitchen gardening. Together, the two phases of China-supported post-flood recovery assistance are expected to benefit more than 300,000 people across Balochistan, helping communities restore livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity and build resilience to future climate shocks.
At the ceremony, Bibi Zainab and Bibi Naz, two women from flood-affected communities in Balochistan who received assistance through the initiative, shared how the floods had disrupted their families’ livelihoods. They described how the assistance is helping women in their areas resume productive activities, contribute to household incomes and move towards greater economic independence. They also highlighted the needs that remain, particularly support to rebuild homes, restore livestock and regain the stability their families lost.
“Pakistan values the continued support of the Government of China for post-flood recovery and UNDP’s role in translating this partnership into practical support for flood-affected communities in Balochistan. Initiatives such as this are helping restore livelihoods, create economic opportunities and support longer-term resilience,” said Mr. Mahmood Ahmed Khan, Joint Secretary, UN Desk, Economic Affairs Division, Government of Pakistan, during his remarks at the ceremony.
“Women often face the consequences of floods most acutely, particularly when livelihoods and household incomes are disrupted. Enabling them to resume productive work and access income-generating opportunities is essential to a lasting recovery. We greatly value the Government of China’s continued assistance and UNDP’s close partnership with the Government of Balochistan in helping affected families rebuild their lives with greater resilience,” added Ms. Batool Asadi, Chief Foreign Aid, Planning and Development Department, Government of Balochistan.
The visit also included a tree-planting ceremony and an exchange with members of the UNDP Country Team. CICETE and UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to building on the partnership and exploring further opportunities to support inclusive economic development, resilient livelihoods and sustainable recovery in Pakistan.
