About the Conclave
India achieved significant strides in Water, sanitation and Hygiene sector in terms
of achieving Open Defecation Free status, basic drinking water services through
PWS and progressing towards next generation of sanitation and water program issues
besides rapidly marching towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.Government
of India has launched Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) phase-II and Jal Jeevan Mission
(JJM) with clear guidelines and adequate budgets to provide sustainable WASH services
in a decentralized mode by 2024. Towards this, three states (AP, Karnataka and Telangana)
have developed Annual Implementation and Perspective plans and started implementing
these programs. However, given the project complexities, time bound targets, decentralized
management and sustained hygiene behavior changes, there is a need to reinforce
the capacities of the relevant state and district level functionaries and professionals
in order to achieve programme results. In addition, the recent COVID 19 pandemic
created manifold challenges which are to be addressed on a priority basis.
Hygiene behaviors including handwashing with soap, water hygiene and safe disposal
of solid and liquid waste are key measures to contain the spread of COVID. It demands
greater multi stakeholder engagement, including Government to achieve respective
program results and address challenges on a priority basis. The three states of
AP, Karnataka and Telangana have demonstrated several best practices around Water,
sanitation and Hygiene. There is a need to promote cross learning of these best
practices and scale up.
Every year NIRDPR and UNICEF jointly organize Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Conclave
(WASH conclave) to bring sector players on a platform for deliberations and learning.
So far six WASH Conclaves have been held on different thematic areas with encouraging
results. Considering the challenges in organizing physical conclave due to COVID
pandemic, this year conclave will be held virtually. “Hygiene Matters” is the theme
of 7th WASH conclave 2020 being held during 2nd to 4th December 2020.
Conclave Objectives
- To bring WASH sector players including Government, Development Partners, civil society,
private sector and academia under one platform to deliberate and strengthen strategies
for WASH programs with special emphasis on Hygiene in COVID 19 context.
- To facilitate learning and sharing of best practices in WASH
- To create an opportunity for strengthening collaborations and partnerships among
institutions including government dealing with WASH and related programs across
three states and districts
Hon'ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan has kindly consented
to inaugurate this Conclave and give keynote address.