DUSHANBE, June 9, 2015, Asia-Plus – In a statement delivered at the high-level international conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 in Dushanbe, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif noted on June 9 that integrated and coordinated efforts at regional and international level are needed to cope with water and sanitation related issues.

According to Pakistan Daily Global , Nawaz Sharif said water is crucial for many of Pakistan’s goals from poverty eradication and cross-sectoral economic growth to environmental sustainability and food and energy security.  He said a balanced approach should be followed to ensure effective use of this source of life.

Pakistani Prime Minister said global demand for water is ever increasing.  Urbanization and climate change add to the complexities of the challenge.  Risks of flooding and drought due to climatic and other factors, threaten lives and livelihoods undermining sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Appreciating Tajikistan for investing time to further the global water agenda in the past years, he said these efforts have helped promote awareness and catalyze partnerships at all levels.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan supports Tajikistan’s proposal to launch a New International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development.”  He suggested this initiative should be called International Decade for Enhanced Action “Water for Sustainable Development for All.”

Pakistani Prime Minister said that Pakistan being host to some of world’s biggest glaciers and water stressed country.  “We have attached high importance to water related issues,” he noted.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan has made steady progress in improving access to safe drinking water, in pursuance of the millennium development goals.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is committed to achieving one hundred percent access to improved drinking water and sanitation and sufficient and unhindered supply of water for domestic, agriculture and industrial through implementation of sectoral development plans and strengthening institutional capacities with well-defined human resource development plans.

He said it is Pakistan’s fundamental priority in the water sector to expand existing infrastructure, improve governance and ensure efficient management and use of water resources.

Pakistan Vision 2025 includes the objective of inclusive growth through water security, value addition, research, modernization and best practices of water management.