Karachi
In order to identify avenues of integration, innovation and inclusion to ensure water security for all in Pakistan, a non-governmental organisation - Hisaar Foundation - is organising an international water conference, titled “Securing Sustainable Water for All: Inclusion, Integration and Innovation”, on November 17 and 18.
The aim of the conference is to reach out to all stakeholders to develop investment in innovation, encourage integration and promote inclusion of all, read a statement issued on Tuesday.
Recognising the urgent need of finding solutions for water problems in Pakistan and also keeping in view the UN goal for the year 2015, the conference is a follow up to a similar previous venture - “Water Cooperation in Action – From the Global to the Grassroots” - in December 2013.
Notable international and national experts and speakers would be participating in the event. They include David Grey, visiting Professor of Water Policy at University of Oxford, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Dean Institute of Business Administration, Marc Andre-Franche, Country Head of UNDP Pakistan, Khalid Mohtadullah, Senior Advisor to Global Water Partnership, Dr Salman Shah, former finance minister, Zafar Mahmood, Chairman WAPDA, Shoaib Sultan Khan, Pioneer of Rural Development, Simi Kamal, water and gender specialist, Dr Daanish Mustafa, Reader of Geography, King’s College, London and many other prominent figures from
the business world and civil society.
Several hundred delegates, mostly from Pakistan but also from South Asia and other countries, are expected to participate as well.
The conference would help identify strategies for promoting and implementing an inclusive sustainable water policy; reach out to all critical stakeholders including government, academia, civil society, media, business and corporate sector, urban and
rural communities, and experts on water to develop integration and; showcase
models and experiences from across the world that display innovation and integration in an effort to promote sustainable water practices across Pakistan.
The statement added that by sharing research findings, technical solutions, innovations, inclusive models, examples of integration and experiences at different levels, policy level dialogue on sustainable water can be initiated for ensuring conservation, sustainability and integrated management of water resources in Pakistan, South Asia and around the world.