ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), in collaboration with UNESCO, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, ECO Science Foundation (ECO-SF), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), and Islamic Relief Pakistan, organized a significant event marking World Water Day 2024.
Themed “Water for Prosperity and Peace,” the event brought together key stakeholders and experts to address critical water-related issues affecting Pakistan and beyond, as per a press release issued on Tuesday.
Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Director-General of PCRWR, highlighted water’s pivotal role in achieving social, economic, and environmental prosperity. She underscored the importance of shared water resources in fostering cooperation between nations and regions, and outlined PCRWR’s initiatives to combat water wastage.
A roundtable discussion featured prominent water experts such as Nasir Ghafoor, Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Saiqa Imran, Dr. Muhammad Waseem, Zamir Ahmad Soomro, Khalil Raza, and Raza Narejo.
The panelists emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about water scarcity, promoting conservation practices, and enhancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
They advocated for trust-building through data sharing and the adoption of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approaches to ensure sustainable and equitable water use across Pakistan.
Jawed Ali Khan, Head of Programmes Management at UN-Habitat, underscored water’s role in bolstering community resilience to climate change, citing UN-Habitat’s ongoing initiatives in this area.
Prof. Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of ECO Science Foundation (ECO-SF), emphasized the promotion of nature-based solutions for water conservation and community engagement, highlighting ECO-SF’s efforts to bridge policy-practice gaps through regional dialogues.
Kar Hung Antony Tam, Officer-In-Charge at UNESCO Islamabad, reiterated the significance of World Water Day in raising awareness about water-related challenges. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in water management and equitable distribution, and highlighted UNESCO’s joint initiatives with PCRWR, including the inscription of the Karez System Cultural Landscape (KSCL) on the World Heritage List, aimed at fostering trust and resolving water resource conflicts.
The event also featured the launch of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024 on “Water for Prosperity and Peace,” emphasizing the critical role of sustainable water management in achieving development goals.
