A high-level meeting between a UNICEF delegation and the Secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat was held on 18 June 2026 at the KP Assembly Secretariat, Peshawar, to discuss enhanced collaboration for strengthening parliamentary engagement in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
The meeting brought together representatives from UNICEF, the KP Assembly Secretariat, and key stakeholders to explore opportunities for promoting WASH policy reforms, strengthening sector oversight, and building the capacity of parliamentarians on WASH-related issues.
Building on a series of engagements facilitated through WASHNet, discussions focused on sustaining and institutionalizing parliamentary involvement in water, sanitation, hygiene, climate resilience, and sector governance. Participants acknowledged the growing momentum around WASH sector reforms and emphasized the need for continued engagement with Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) to support evidence-based policymaking and improved service delivery.
The meeting also explored opportunities for capacity-building initiatives and exposure visits for parliamentarians in collaboration with the Directorate of Capacity Building of the KP Assembly. These initiatives aim to enhance understanding of successful WASH models, governance mechanisms, and sector best practices.
Participants discussed the importance of parliamentary oversight in WASH governance, including support for policy reforms, budget tracking, accountability, and monitoring of development projects. The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNICEF and the KP Assembly Secretariat was also reviewed as a framework for strengthening institutional collaboration and parliamentary capacity building.
Key discussions included support for the approval and implementation of the Provincial Water Supply Policy and Sanitation Policy, strengthening governance arrangements within the WASH sector, and improving coordination among institutions responsible for water-related services.
The meeting further explored the possibility of establishing a dedicated WASH Caucus within the Provincial Assembly or integrating WASH priorities into existing parliamentary platforms focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change. Participants also highlighted the importance of engaging women parliamentarians and youth as champions for WASH advocacy and sector reforms.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between UNICEF, WASHNet, and the KP Assembly Secretariat to advance policy reforms, strengthen parliamentary engagement, build institutional capacity, and improve sustainable WASH outcomes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.