New UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to Turkey Shahid Najam arrived in Ankara on 23 December, 2009. With a vast experience of more than 33 years including over 16 years within the UN System, Najam expressed his commitment to work with the Turkish government, civil society and other development partners to increase UN-Turkey cooperation focusing primarily on expanding the development choices of the poor and marginalized segments and on the attainment of Millennium Development Goals.

Najam, a national of Pakistan, has to his credit; four Masterates including Masters of Law and MSc. Public Policy from London School of Economics and Political Science, London UK and MSc. Rural Development a joint programme of Wye College London. During the course of his career, he has been extensively involved at the leadership positions in the field of policy formulation and analysis; development of strategic plans and programs; formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects and work plans; resource mobilization and management; and disaster management and relief operations. Some high level positions with the Government of Pakistan held by Najam included Commissioner, Lahore Division and Chief Operating Officer, Punjab Board of Investment and Trade.

Shahid Najam has served in various capacities in the UN system, including FAO Representative, Chief Decentralization Support Service and Deputy FAO Representative in Tanzania.

His major contribution included formulation and management of large development programmes in the economic and social sectors including 5 years joint FAO-Iran National Medium Term Priority Framework in the agriculture sector; specifically targeted programs for poverty alleviation, income generation and urban and rural development; development of community based and managed "Model villages" in the poverty stricken rural areas and "Model Wards" in the poor urban slums; the design and implementation of the new decentralized governance system in Pakistan involving delegation, devolution and deconcentration of power in favour of the elected representatives at local level; and establishment of Investment Promotion Agency for the province of Punjab in Pakistan.

He speaks English, French and Urdu and is reasonably well conversant with Farsi.