On 5th March 2026, the WASHNet team hosted a consultative meeting with the UNDP Islamabad team at the Planning & Development Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. UNICEF representatives also joined online. The meeting aimed to introduce the WASHNet initiative, share progress to date, and explore potential areas of collaboration to improve coordination and knowledge management within the WASH sector.
The session began with opening remarks by Mr. Farooq Abbassi, WASH Specialist at UNICEF, highlighting the fragmented nature of the WASH sector in KP, where multiple stakeholders operate independently, often resulting in duplicated efforts and inefficiencies. He emphasized that WASHNet serves as a central coordination and knowledge-sharing platform, facilitating better collaboration among partners.
Ms. Nosheen, Senior Coordination and Knowledge Management Specialist at WASHNet, presented the network’s objectives, activities, and achievements. She highlighted quarterly coordination meetings, monthly thematic workshops, and the WASHNet newsletter as key tools for knowledge dissemination. Progress on the WASHNet website was also shared, designed to serve as a central hub for sector information and coordination. Notable achievements include thematic engagement with TMAs, development of a WASHNet membership framework, and contributions toward reviving the Climate Action Board Act.
During the discussion, the UNDP team expressed appreciation for WASHNet’s role in addressing sector fragmentation. They highlighted the importance of data and knowledge sharing, collaboration on climate-related initiatives, and leveraging WASHNet’s embedded position within government structures for smoother coordination. Suggestions included enhancing visibility of WASH partners through the newsletter and website, and using the network to facilitate structured data sharing among stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration, including WASHNet’s monthly thematic workshops and quarterly coordination meetings. Both teams recognized WASHNet’s potential as a platform to strengthen coordination, knowledge management, and partnership development across the WASH sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.