On 12th May 2026, UNICEF, WASHNet, and the Planning & Development Department organized a high-level thematic workshop titled “Strengthening Parliamentary Leadership for Climate-Resilient WASH in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” at Serena Hotel, Peshawar. The workshop brought together parliamentarians, government officials, UN agencies, and development partners to discuss the future of climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) governance in the province.
The session opened with remarks from UNICEF and the Planning & Development Department, emphasizing the need for stronger political ownership and parliamentary engagement to address growing WASH and climate-related challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Technical presentations highlighted key sector challenges, including access to safe drinking water, sanitation coverage, waste management, institutional coordination gaps, and climate vulnerabilities. Discussions also explored the links between population dynamics, public health, and sustainable development planning.
Participants emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive water and sanitation policy frameworks in the province, improved interdepartmental coordination, and stronger parliamentary leadership in WASH governance, climate adaptation, and budget prioritization. Recommendations included the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary mechanism or caucus on WASH and climate-related issues to ensure sustained engagement and advocacy within the Provincial Assembly.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of investing in technical education and human resource development for the WASH sector, while successful examples from other provinces were shared to guide future initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The event concluded with a shared commitment among parliamentarians and stakeholders to strengthen policy dialogue, institutional collaboration, and climate-resilient planning to advance sustainable WASH services across the province.