First Pakistani Water and Sanitation Program Recognised Internationally for Empowering Local Communities

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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE First Pakistani Water and Sanitation Program Recognised Internationally for Empowering Local Communities Dubai, UAE 12 May 2009 The Water and Sanitation Extension

This is the first ever social project from Pakistan to receive this prestigious award in the fourteen year history of DIABP. The Award is sponsored by the Dubai Municipality, under the patronage of H.

WASEP was selected from a list of nearly 500 international submissions by the Award s Technical Advisory Committee.

1 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE First Pakistani Water and Sanitation Program Recognised Internationally for Empowering Local Communities Dubai, UAE 12 May 2009 The Water and Sanitation Extension Programme (WASEP), an initiative of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P), was declared as one of the twelve winners of the Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP). This is the first ever social project from Pakistan to receive this prestigious award in the fourteen year history of DIABP. The Award is sponsored by the Dubai Municipality, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, in partnership with UN Habitat. WASEP was selected from a list of nearly 500 international submissions by the Award s Technical Advisory Committee. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, Chairman of Dubai Municipality awarding the Dubai Award trophy to Mr. Hafiz Sherali, Chairman, Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan for their project WASEP. With an objective to supply integrated water supply infrastructure and preventing the incidence of water related diseases, WASEP has provided potable water and installed over 9200 latrines in 250 villages, benefiting over 200,000 people across the country. According to World Health Organization, WASEP has reduced incidences of diarrhea reported in local health centers by at least 25%, while at the household level the reduction has been approximately 60%. In his address to the audience, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman Dubai Municipality, said that the Award reflects the policy and commitment of Dubai Government and the United Arab Emirates towards sustainable development of the human settlements and protection of the environment on the basis of mutual international cooperation.

2 The award seeks to encourage and recognize outstanding human achievements and experiences, to raise awareness on best practices that can improve lives of the marginalized people, and transfer them to other societies. This award also provides an opportunity to all government organizations, the private sector, local authorities and civil society organizations to take part and present pioneering works and projects in this field, said Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality. In Pakistan, like many countries of the developing world, inadequate quality and coverage of water and sanitation infrastructure is a major issue and is duly reflected in that fact that nearly 30% of reported illnesses and 40% of deaths in Pakistan are attributed to water borne diseases. For AKPBS,P s WASEP, the Award was received by Ms. Shukur Perver, a beneficiary of the Water and Sanitation Program in Gilgit and Mr. Hafiz Sherali, AKPBS,P s Chairman. Delivering the UN speech on behalf of Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director, UNCHS, Ambassador Inga Björk Klevby, Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UN HABITAT, said the awards were valuable means of recognizing excellence, promoting learning and sharing best practices. "This year, the award ceremony is held at a time when the world is going through the worst economic crisis in living memory. If we do not manage it better, while we still can, especially the urban part of it in which most of us live, we will lose the battle against climate disruption as well," said Inga Björk Klevby. She further added, Today the world grapple with the global impacts of the economic crisis and climate change, we need innovative ideas, informed communities and municipalities and government support. I am delighted the winners include new ideas on dealing with climate change and all address environmental sustainability in one way or another, and that all respond to various targets of the Millennium Development Goals." The other winners of the 7 th cycle of awards, from amongst the 500 submissions received, included projects from USA, China, Spain, South Africa, Indonesia, Palestine, Mexico, Colombia, Senegal, DR Congo and Burundi.. In its 14 years of existence, DIAB has received 3100 submission from 140 countries, out of which 70 have been chosen as winners, including 12 of this year. On receiving the award, Mr. Sherali, said that the contribution of WASEP in uplifting the living conditions of the people in Pakistan has been a source of tremendous satisfaction for AKPBS,P, but a lot more needs to be done. The Dubai Award brings yet another moment of honour and celebration for all Pakistanis across the globe. The Award acknowledges the efforts of AKPBS,P for their efforts in partnering with local communities and empowering women in the process of providing sustainable facilities for potable water and sanitation. Earlier this year AKPBS,P also received the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Global Leadership Award 2009 in Uganda and the National Energy Globe Award 2008 in Prague. Previously AKPBS,P has received the ALCAN Prize for Sustainability in 2005 and the World Habitat Award in 2006 for Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP) and its Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP). The Award ceremony, attended by high profile leaders and heads of globally renowned organizations, was held at Dubai s Cultural and Scientific Association. [END]

3 Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, addresses the audience. Ambassador Inga Björk Klevby, Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UN HABITAT, speaks at the occasion

4 H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman Dubai Municipality, with the winners of 7 th cycle of Dubai awards

5 Note for Editors: The Dubai International Award for Best Practices (DIABP) was established under the directives of late Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the former Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the emir of Dubai. The Award was established during the United Nations International Conference that convened in Dubai in 1995 to recognize the best practices with positive impact on improving the living environment. More details on the PCIA Awards can be found on their website The Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP) Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P) initiated WASEP in 1997, with the aim of providing integrated water supply infrastructure and preventing the incidence of water related diseases. WASEP S main objectives are: To enhance the availability, accessibility, reliability and quality of drinking water To increase the number of people owning and using hygienic sanitation To increase awareness about hygiene concepts and to facilitate appropriate change in behaviour To develop managerial and organizational capacity of rural communities To develop capacities of local government organizations, NGOs and the private sector in water infrastructure For further information: Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P) has been working to improve the built environment in Pakistan since Its areas of focus include housing design and construction, institutional construction management, village planning, natural hazard mitigation, water supply and sanitation, and improved indoor living conditions for the most disadvantaged members of society. AKPBS,P achieves its goals by providing material and technical expertise and training to rural and urban areas. Currently, AKPBS,P is focusing on developing technology related to earthquakeresistant buildings, solar energy use, thermal efficiency, village planning, and other quality of life issues. For more information: The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims. It is a group of private, nondenominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. For more information: For further information, please contact: Naeem Razwani Manager Communications H.H. Aga Khan Council for Pakistan Telephone: Facsimile: naeem.razwani@akcpk.org Youshey Zakiuddin Communications and Programme Management Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan Telephone: Facsimile: youshey.zakiuddin@akpbsp.org

Technical Regulations 10 th Edition 2018

Technical Regulations 10 th Edition 2018 The International Level Publication Series of the Award (54) H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the United Arab Emirates H.H. Sheikh Mohammed