By Ayesha Saba

Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen climate-resilient water governance have received a significant boost, as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has shortlisted a $15-million initiative on climate resilience, water resources management, and flood risk mitigation for the country, shows a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

According to the document, the 36-month National Capacity Building Program on Climate-Resilient Water Resources Management and Flood Risk Mitigation is designed to enhance institutional and human resource capacity in integrated water resources management and flood risk mitigation across the country.

The program further aims to build expertise in key areas, including water governance, water accounting, climate risk assessment, flood management, water quality monitoring, smart water systems and data-driven decision-making.

By strengthening technical competencies, the initiative seeks to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of Pakistan’s water resources amid increasing climate variability and extreme weather events.

Under the capacity-building component, 45 professionals (15 each year) will receive advanced training in Korea over the three-year program. These trained experts will serve as master trainers, sharing their knowledge and technical skills with more than 150 additional professionals nationwide. This multiplier approach is expected to create a strong institutional base capable of sustaining reforms and applying advanced modelling tools in real-world water management scenarios.

The anticipated impact of the program includes the development of a nationally embedded cadre of water experts skilled in climate modelling, flood forecasting, water quality assessment and data-driven planning. By promoting evidence-based policymaking and modern water management practices, the initiative is expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s capacity for climate-resilient water allocation, flood mitigation and wastewater management.

The program would mark a major step toward institutional modernisation and long-term water security, aligning Pakistan’s water governance framework with global best practices in climate adaptation and smart resource management.

Credit: INP-WealthPk