UNESCO Chair on Knowledge Systems for Water Resources Management (IWRM) nominated Engr. Sarmad Manzoor and Engr Waleed Tariq, team members from UNESCO and from the Department of Civil Engineering to attend the Pakistan Water Week 2023 jointly organized by the PCRWR and IWMI Pakistan, with a focus on two key events, a three-day International Conference from December 4- 6 2023 followed by a two-day National Workshop from December 7-8, 2023 based on the theme “Transformative Pathways for Water and Food System in a Climate Resilient Pakistan”.

The aim of Pakistan Water Week is to conduct high-level discussions on water, climate, and the sustainability transformation. The conference fostered discussions on three thematic areas, including:

1. Transformation for sustainable and climate resilient solutions
2. Politics, policy, and institutions- good governance and strengthening capacities
3. Technologies and innovations- responding to the climate change

Pakistan being highly vulnerable to climate change requires sustainable development, strategic decision making for best utilization of its natural resources. The deliberation on the following thematic areas was presented by the experts / invited speakers on December 6, 2023, attended by the nominees.

1. Climate Resilient Pathways: Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development for a Secure Pakistan, Maintaining Productivity of Salinity Affected Landscapes in the Indus Basin.
2. Inclusive Water Governance: Exploring New Pathways and Perspectives, Harnessing Gender – Transformative Agent of Change for Improved Water Governance.
3. Technologies and Innovations: Responding to the Challenges of Water and Food Security, Management of Hill – Torrents Opportunities and Challenges
4. Climate Emergencies, Revitalizing the Indus –Exploring and Living Indus Initiative, Water and Food Security.
5. The Role of Climate Risk Analysis in Improving Resilience of Agriculture System

The conference was attended by the national and international experts, representatives from federal and provisional government partners.