1. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, lauded Odisha’s disaster management and development efforts during his visit.
2. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik received praise for the government’s proactive stance in tackling challenges.
3. The meeting at Naveen Niwas highlighted Odisha’s commitment to progress and partnership with the UN.
Bhubaneswar, April 10: UN Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp, praised Odisha’s endeavors in disaster management and human development during his visit to the state.
Meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas, Sharp commended the Odisha government’s proactive approach to addressing challenges and fostering development.
Reflecting on previous successful collaborations between UN agencies and the state government, Sharp discussed avenues for future partnerships to enhance development initiatives.
Despite being one of the most disaster-prone states in India, Odisha has emerged as a model for disaster management, with the UN acknowledging the state’s exemplary handling of Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
Sharp also lauded Odisha’s achievements in food security and the Millet Mission, citing the state’s pioneering efforts in these areas. Notably, the UN declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, underscoring the significance of Odisha’s contributions.
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In addition to disaster management and food security, Sharp discussed the 5T governance framework with state officials, highlighting its transformative impact on governance and development.
He met with VK Pandian, the chairman of 5T, praising the state government’s efforts to position Odisha as a sports hub.
During his visit to the Kalinga Stadium, Sharp toured state-of-the-art facilities, including the indoor athletics center, sports science center, and aquatic center.
Impressed by the infrastructure, he remarked on the promising future of sports in Odisha.
Pandian expressed interest in collaborating with the UN to elevate Odisha’s sports sector to new heights.
Chief Minister Patnaik expressed gratitude to Sharp and reiterated Odisha’s commitment to partnering with UN agencies to implement global best practices across various sectors in the state.
