GILGIT — Gilgit-Baltistan has taken major step towards climate-resilient development, clean energy and improved public services with the launch of a landmark EUR54.24 million (Rs17.2 billion) Rural Development and Climate Resilience Project covering all districts of the region.
The initiative has been launched jointly by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), European Union and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), with the project designed to improve living conditions while helping communities withstand climate change and natural disasters.
The agreement was formally signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Gilgit-Baltistan Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq and Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal. The ambitious programme will deliver a wide-ranging package of climate-resilient infrastructure and community-focused interventions across Gilgit-Baltistan.
Under the project, 216 water supply and sewerage schemes will be implemented, including 117 drinking-water supply schemes and 30 sanitation projects involving sewerage networks and wastewater treatment. The initiative will also expand clean energy generation, with hydropower projects expected to produce 1,200 to 1,300 kilowatts of electricity, offering a potential boost to energy access in remote communities.
Climate resilience will be strengthened through vulnerability assessments across all 110 Union Councils, while 3,000 households will undergo green retrofitting and another 700 households will benefit from energy-efficient and climate-resilient construction.
The project is expected to reach approximately 43,200 households, or around 325,600 people, with women accounting for at least 40% of beneficiaries.
Beyond infrastructure, the programme will focus on building local capacity through training in climate-smart planning, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure management, while community participation will remain central to identifying and implementing development interventions.
30-Year Energy Roadmap for Gilgit-Baltistan
The landmark event also saw Northern Pakistan Energy Limited (NPak Energy) present the key findings of the Gilgit-Baltistan Energy Master Plan, a long-term strategy developed under the EU-funded Energy Plus project.
The EUR31 million (Rs9.8 billion) Energy Plus initiative supports the transition towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.
The Energy Master Plan provides a 30-year roadmap aimed at establishing a reliable, affordable and climate-resilient energy system for the mountainous region.
Developed in partnership with the Water and Power Department of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, NPAK Energy and other stakeholders, the plan seeks to address the region’s energy deficit while unlocking its substantial renewable-energy potential.
Welcoming the AFD and European Union delegations and Aga Khan Foundation officials to Gilgit, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Amjad Hussain Azaar described the initiative as an important milestone for sustainable development and prosperity in the region.
He stressed that the programme should go beyond simply completing development schemes, with the ultimate objective being tangible improvements in people’s lives.
The Chief Minister highlighted planned improvements in clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity for remote villages, resilient housing and employment opportunities for young people, alongside community-level micro-hydropower projects and stronger local institutions.
He said community participation would be central to deciding and implementing interventions, while efforts were also underway to tackle the region’s energy crisis through the solarisation of government buildings and development of a regional grid.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis described Team Europe as the main development partner for Gilgit-Baltistan, saying the launch marked a pivotal moment in the shared commitment to a sustainable and resilient future for the region.
He said the Rural Development and Climate Resilience Project and the handover of the Energy Master Plan reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to tackling climate change while promoting inclusive growth.
The EU and its Team Europe partners, he added, would work alongside the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Aga Khan Foundation to translate the plans into practical development, with the objective of ensuring an inclusive transition towards a greener and more resilient future.
AFD Pakistan Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq said the project would improve basic services for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan while providing the provincial government with an opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity for community-driven development, particularly in remote areas.
He described the approach as an innovative model for public investment and expressed confidence in cooperation with the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to achieve shared sustainable-development objectives.
Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal said the project reflected the foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of mountain communities through climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, stronger local institutions and inclusive economic opportunities.
He also appreciated the continued support of the European Union and AFD, saying the partnership would help communities build a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous future.
