GWP leveraged its stakeholder network to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting process together with UN Environment-DHI, the custodian agency of SDG 6.5.1, and convened 30 workshops in different locations. As a continuation of these series of workshop, Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP), in collaboration with the Office of Chief Engineering Advisor (CEA)/Chairman Federal Flood Commission (CFFC), Ministry of Water Resources organised a workshop involving more than 30 water experts and stakeholders from diverse fields related to water. Federal Minister and the Joint Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Water and Power Development Authority, few other Local Government Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Area Water Partnerships, Universities and PWP were represented at the meeting.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, Target 6.5 targeted on achieving “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate”. The target supports equitable and efficient use of water resources, which is essential for social and economic development, as well as environmental sustainability. The indicator 6.5.1 indicates the degree of IWRM implementation (from 0 to 100). Participants of the workshop provided with a Country Questionnaire prepared based on the Indicator 6.5.1 that ultimately reflects the current degree of IWRM implementation in the country, on a scale from 0 to 100. Subsequently, the average score rated for Pakistan was nearly 50. The stakeholders resolved that though not in strict accordance with the definition of the IWRM, the water resources in Pakistan are being managed and governed by rules and regulations. They agreed that there is a need to promote IWRM at all levels and unanimously agreed that the newly established Ministry of Water Resources should take lead in promoting and monitoring IWRM at all levels. Other than that, few more key challenges related to water resources management were discussed and agreed with options and recommendations.
Mr Javed Shah, Federal Minister of Water Resources being the Chief Guest of the workshop highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment towards SDG 6. Mr Syed Mehr Ali, Joint Secretary Ministry of Water Resources echoing the Minister’s statement extended the Ministry’s fullest cooperation for promoting IWRM. He thanked the organisers for introducing the comprehensive Country Questionnaire for Indicator 6.5.1 which was useful in establishing the baseline for IWRM implementation in the country, and said that the ministry is looking forward to receive the findings and recommendations of the workshop for promoting IWRM at all levels in the country.