ISTANBUL
The United Nations and Turkey have launched the UN Istanbul Regional Hub that will provide support to countries and territories in which the UN Development Program works in Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "Istanbul is becoming the UN's regional center."
"This is actually an indicator of the importance given by the international organization and other countries to Turkey and to its foreign policy," Cavusoglu added.
Helen Clark, head of the United Nations Development Program, said: "Turkey has already become a core partner for UN. It gives us support in global development and other areas."
“By locating this knowledge and technical expertise in Istanbul, UNDP will be well positioned to support and engage with partners in Europe and the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) on the post-2015 development agenda, which is due to be agreed in September of this year,” Clark added.
According to the UNDP statement, the hub and Turkey will also jointly advance efforts to promote South-South cooperation and share Turkey's important development experience with other countries. “This strategic partnership recognizes the increasing role of Turkey as an emerging donor for development cooperation across the world,” the statement said.
Kadir Topbas, mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was also present at the ceremony to inaugurate the new hub and unveil a plaque on the premises in Istanbul’s Key Plaza.
The Istanbul Regional Hub is co-located with other UN agencies, including the UN Population Fund, which will strengthen coordination within the UN development system. UNDP has other regional offices in Amman, Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Cairo, Dakar, and Panama.
The hub also hosts United Nations Children's Fund, or the UNICEF and UN Women offices, the statement added.
