By Khawaja Hamza

Islamabad, A high-level delegation from Somalia’s National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), led by Director General Mr. Abdiwali Ali Abdulle, visited NADRA today to build on the partnership between the two organisations since 2018. The visit was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Mr. Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Van Nguyen also attended.

The delegation was welcomed by Chairman NADRA and briefed on Pakistan’s identity systems and digital public infrastructure. Both sides recognised identity as core national infrastructure that strengthens the social contract between the state and citizens and supports civic participation, financial inclusion and public trust. They also identified and discussed areas for joint work to further strengthen identity and registration systems in both countries.

Both sides acknowledged UNDP’s role in facilitating South-South collaboration and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to legal identity and civil registration.