Bhubaneswar: The UN Resident Coordinator in India, Stefan Priesner, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at Lok Seva Bhawan here, underscoring efforts to deepen collaboration between the State Government and the United Nations.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, among other officials.
The discussions focused on reinforcing collaboration between the Government of Odisha and the United Nations India across key development sectors. The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that India is firmly on the path toward the vision of the Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, with Odisha contributing significantly through growth in agriculture, industry, and renewable energy. He emphasised that agriculture remains the top priority of the State Government, with sustained efforts to double farmers’ incomes, promote climate-resilient practices, and strengthen value chains.
Tourism and heritage also featured prominently in the dialogue. The State’s rich cultural legacy, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and potential sites such as Ranipur-Jharial and Harishankar, was discussed as a focus area for sustainable tourism development. The Deputy Chief Minister underlined Odisha’s commitment to positioning itself as a global destination while preserving its unique tribal and cultural traditions.
Both sides explored opportunities for deeper UN support in making Odisha an intellectual hub for renewable energy, strengthening rural livelihoods, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Stefan Priesner appreciated Odisha’s progress in agriculture and energy transition and expressed UN India’s willingness to partner in technology transfer, capacity building, and inclusive development initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen cooperation and work together to ensure that Odisha’s growth story becomes a model of sustainable and self-reliant development.
