Pakistan and the UN System have enjoyed a long period of collaboration which began when the country joined the United Nations on 30th September, 1947. During the years that followed, there was a steady increase in UN-sponsored development cooperation in Pakistan, and a steady increase in the number of UN agencies represented in the country. Throughout, Pakistan has been an active member of the UN, both at the inter-government level and as a provider of personnel to the international civil service. Pakistan has also been a consistent financial contributor to the UN development system.