Championing Climate-Resilient WASH Innovation

Ahead of World Climate Day, and as I rounded up my COP28 UAE engagements on Wednesday, I was honoured to share the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s frontline impact and learnings on WASH with DP World at the Climate Challenge Lab, Innovation Zone, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

In my Fireside Chat with Ayla Bajwa, Senior Vice-President of Group Sustainability at DP World, we discussed the escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and how it becomes increasingly important to address the convergence of climate change and WASH, including the role WASH plays in health. I shared a deep dive into the current landscape of climate-resilient WASH best practices, and the innovative strategies, technologies, and policy frameworks, all aimed at empowering communities to adapt and thrive in the face of climate-related adversity, implemented at the Wellbeing Foundation Africa.

In alignment with the insights shared at the 2023 UN Water Conference, which I attended and spoke at earlier this year with longstanding WASH partners Reckitt, and the corresponding Water Action Agenda, I highlighted the need to enhance the impact of frontline programming which works towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, 6, and 17.

Spotlighting the contributions made by funders, the private sector, practitioners, and other stakeholders, I very much valued the experience brought to this important discussion, through the additional panel, moderated by Kevin Holliday, Managing Director, C3, featuring Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive, Water Aid UK, Pawan Borle, Co-Founder & International Advisor, Maithri Aquatech and Cheryl Hicks, Senior Advisor, CEO Water Mandate, WASH4Work Global Compact, as we navigate the ever-evolving terrain of climate-resilient WASH, ensuring unwavering access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, even in the face of the challenges posed by our changing world.

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