By MIRIAM MALAWA
THE inaugural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) Symposium, organized by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), was officially opened today with a strong call for collective action.
Deputy Secretary Roger Kara, of the Programming and Monitoring Wing, urged all stakeholders to collaborate in developing a clear, actionable path to ensure safe and sustainable WaSH services for all Papua New Guineans.
Kara noted the symposium’s focus on fostering dialogue and partnerships to build resilient and sustainable WaSH systems in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
“This symposium aims to bring together key actors from government, the private sector, development partners, and communities to chart a sustainable future for WaSH in PNG,” he stated.
When expressing concern over the current state of WaSH in the country, Kara highlighted the significant disparities in access between urban and rural areas.
“While some progress has been made, millions of Papua New Guineans still lack access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation,” he said.
He pointed out that rural communities face even more severe challenges in securing reliable WaSH services.
Kara also called for strong governance and leadership to ensure the effective implementation of the National WaSH Policy 2015-2030.
“To build resilient WaSH systems, we must prioritize governance and leadership at all levels,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) WaSH targets as critical milestones.
However, he also cautioned that achieving these targets would require committed leadership and coordinated efforts across sectors.
“Achieving sustainable and resilient WaSH systems is not the work of the government alone; it is a multi-stakeholder effort,” Kara added.
He encouraged partnerships with civil society, development partners, the private sector, and local communities to overcome barriers and scale successful solutions.
Addressing the issue of limited resources for WaSH infrastructure, Kara called for innovative financing solutions.
“Adequate financing and investment are crucial for building resilient and sustainable WaSH systems,” he said.
Kara issued a call for action, urging stakeholders to work together to develop a clear and actionable path forward.
“Let us embrace our shared responsibility to act now, build resilient systems, and work in unison for the benefit of all Papua New Guineans,” he added.
The two-day WaSH Symposium will continue with discussions on innovative solutions, best practices, and collective actions to address the pressing challenges facing PNG’s WaSH sector.
