UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner concluded his first country visit to Turkey during which he met with leaders of government and business, investors, the heads of UNDP partner agencies in Turkey, and members of the diplomatic community, and opened the UNDP flagship event the Istanbul Development Dialogues.
“Turkey and UNDP have been partners for over 50 years and more recently Turkey has been a beacon of hope for more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees,” said Achim Steiner. “I appreciated the frank exchanges on the future direction of UNDP’s work in Turkey and I look forward to our continued partnership.”
The UNDP Administrator also discussed the continued need for supporting Turkey in its work hosting refugees from Syria. Turkey currently hosts more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees and provides many with free access to education, health care, employment and social security.
“Turkey provides both immediate life support for Syrians and an opportunity for them to plan for the future. It is an exemplary model for other countries to emulate,” Mr. Steiner said.
The Government of Turkey has pledged an additional $4 million annually for three years towards UNDP programmes. As part of a 2011 agreement, Turkey has already contributed US$15 million towards UNDP’s regional programme in Europe and Central Asia and supports the Istanbul Regional Hub and UNDP’s global private sector center in Istanbul.
Original source: UNDP
Published on 28 May 2019
