Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in collaboration with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and UNESCO Pakistan organized a National Conference on 15th July, 2021.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Shibli Faraz, Federal Minister for Science and Technology said that despite being blessed with immense resources, Pakistan is facing grave challenges in the shape of climate change and water scarcity. He emphasized that the outcomes of this conference shall be promulgated to international stakeholders in order to translate research into tangible development for public benefit so that the coming generations can have a water secure Pakistan.

Ms. Patricia Mc’Phillips, UNESCO Country Representative, said that once a water abundant country, Pakistan has now become a water stressed country. UNESCO, in collaboration with PCRWR has taken several initiatives on pilot scale. However, to achieve SDG Goal 6 immense efforts are required amidst the emerging issues of climate change and unregulated exploitation of groundwater.

International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Country Representative, Mr. Mohsin Hafeez highlighted that the policy making is being done with noble intentions, but without evidence based knowledge and data. Therefore, there should be a mechanism to develop a central database in collaboration with all national stakeholders and sectoral institutions.

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman (PCRWR) while addressing the conference, stressed on the importance of setting research priorities according to the emerging issues. He added that lack of data warehouse of water sector in Pakistan is an issue that needs to be addressed on urgent basis for sustainable management of water resources.

The conference was attended by professionals and researchers from national and international organizations. Mr. Nadeem Irshad Kiyani, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology concluded the conference.