DUSHANBE, August 3, 2013, Asia-Plus – On Friday August 2, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi met here with Ms. Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS (Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States).
According to the Tajik MFA information department, the sides discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the current UNICEF program for Tajikistan.
The current UNICEF country program runs from 2010 to 2015. The focus is to contribute in protecting children”s rights to survival, development, protection and participation, with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable.
The two reportedly also discussed the medium-sized review of the country program cycle.
While in Dushanbe, Ms. Marie-Pierre Poirier also participated in the Fourth Child Protection Forum for Central Asia that was held in Dushanbe on August 1-3.
The Forum discussed the road ahead for governments and partners to realize the rights of children with disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable, excluded and invisible groups in society, and served as a high-level platform to advocate for inclusion through strengthening family support and tailored responses, which will benefit everyone – children with and without disabilities, their families and societies.
Speaking at the Forum, Ms. Marie-Pierre Poirier noted, “”Developing intersectoral responses to strengthen inclusive policies, systems and services is the best way to provide families and communities with the necessary support so that each child with a disability can reach his or her full potential.” She called on governments to sign, ratify and fully implement the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Ms. Marie-Pierre Poirier is the UNICEF Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of the Independent States since February 1, 2012. Based in Geneva, she leads UNICEF’s work in East and Southern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
