PESHAWAR — United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing water management and cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The “Water Management for Enhanced Productivity” (WMfEP) program introduced its new Afg-Pak River Basins Knowledge Platform at an event held at the University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Peshawar.
The event was attended by over 60 participants, including officials from UET Peshawar, Agriculture University Peshawar, University of Peshawar, as well as representatives from OFWM, the agriculture and irrigation departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), FAO, and the private sector, showcased significant developments in water resource management.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the open-access book “Afghanistan-Pakistan Shared Waters: State of the Basins,” which provides an in-depth analysis of the Kabul, Kurram, and Gomal river basins shared by the two countries. Additionally, the event introduced a web-based interactive dashboard platform designed to support water management and conservation in five transboundary river basins: Kabul, Kurram, Gomal, Dori, and Pishin Lora.
Dr. Azeem Ali Shah, Lead Editor and Chief of Party for WMfEP at IWMI Pakistan, emphasized the platform’s significance, stating, “The Afg-Pak River Basins Knowledge Platform is a vital resource for policymakers to engage in productive dialogue with Afghanistan and improve water management practices across the region.”
The interactive dashboard offers users access to extensive data, including over twenty satellite-derived variables and more than twenty years of information, providing valuable insights into regional hydrology, land use, and water resources.
Dr. Hammad Gilani from New Mexico State University demonstrated the platform’s features and potential applications, showcasing its usability for researchers, policymakers, and communities. This initiative addresses the longstanding issue of water cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, both of which share nine rivers and have a combined population exceeding 43 million.
The platform aims to facilitate informed decision-making, policy formulation, and resource allocation, contributing to socio-economic development and regional stability. The event, graced by the Vice Chancellor of UET Peshawar, concluded with a lively Q&A session, reflecting the enthusiasm and interest of participants in exploring the platform’s benefits
