Experts call for aligning climate-friendly tool`s with SDGs for economic uplift

LAHORE: Experts stressed the need of aligning climate-resilient Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve sustainable development and economic prosperity of the country.

Speaking at a moot organised by WaterAid in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the experts said the effort would pave the

way to join the league of upper-middle-income countries by 2030.

The experts said this national commitment highlights the importance of aligning policy frameworks, investments, and initiatives with the SDGs to drive progress across all sectors, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).

Dr Shakeel Hayat, senior advisor at Climate Change and WASH, WaterAid Dr Shakeel Hayat, underscored the importance of access to WASH for health and sustainable development, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change, pandemics, and conflicts. “Millions of people lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, leading to significant health and economic challenges,” he maintained.

He said WASH is a critical element of humanitarian discourse in the context of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climatic hazards, which both exacerbate humanitarian emergencies and hinder development progress.