Rapid population growth, deforestation and the state of managing water resources are exacerbating Pakistan’s water crisis and leaving the taps dry. Agriculture, in particular, is estimated to consume over 90% of the country’s available surface water annually.
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), in partnership with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and UNESCO-Pakistan, organized the Pakistan Water Conference in Islamabad on 15th July 2021.
The conference aimed to identify gaps in policies and practices, as well as frame the research agenda prioritized by water sector stakeholders. This conference serves as a valuable foundation for the upcoming International Water Conference scheduled for October 2021.
Hon. Syed Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, was the Chief Guest of the event, He emphasized that the outcomes of this conference shall be promulgated to international stakeholders in order to translate research into tangible development for public benefit so that the coming generations can have a water secure Pakistan.
The conference was attended by researchers and professionals in Pakistan’s national and international organizations, including water resource management (WRM) experts from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).
Mr. Zamir Ahmed Soomro, WRM Specialist at ADPC, presented findings on the opportunities and challenges of water sector policies in the country — an outcome of Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia project. The study aims to assess gaps and needs of water policies and practices at provincial level. IWMI-Pakistan offered its cooperation to complement the project’s interventions.
Pakistan aims to host the International Water Conference within its first Water Week this year of which ADPC’s CARE project team will be an organizing partner. The conference aims to highlight emerging water issues highlighted in the current national conference with international experts.