The Gilgit-Baltistan government has partnered with the Agence Française de Developpement (AFD), the European Union, and the Aga Khan Foundation to inaugurate a significant Rural Development and Climate Resilience project. With a budget exceeding 54 million Euros, this initiative aims to improve the quality of life for more than 300,000 residents throughout every district of the region.
Key figures involved in the formal agreement signing included Additional Chief Secretary Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq, and Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal. The project is designed to implement a wide-ranging set of climate-resilient measures across Gilgit-Baltistan.
Among the planned interventions are enhancements to water and sanitation infrastructure, featuring 216 schemes dedicated to water supply and sewerage. This includes 117 projects focused on drinking water provision and 30 sanitation initiatives encompassing sewerage networks and wastewater treatment facilities. Furthermore, the project anticipates generating between 1,200 and 1,300 kilowatts of clean energy through hydropower developments.
In a notable effort to boost climate resilience, vulnerability assessments will be conducted across all 110 Union Councils. The initiative also includes the green retrofitting of 3,000 homes and the construction of 700 energy-efficient, resilient houses. Capacity building is another critical component, with training programs planned in climate-smart planning, enterprise development, and sustainable infrastructure management.
Overall, the project is expected to benefit approximately 43,200 households, equating to around 325,600 individuals, with women representing at least 40% of the beneficiaries. This comprehensive approach underscores a commitment to sustainable development and climate adaptation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
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