GB launches 'Rural Development and Climate Resilience' project

The Gilgit-Baltistan government, alongside the Agence Française de Developpement, the European Union, and the Aga Khan Foundation, officially launched a Rural Development and Climate Resilience project.

With over 54 million Euros dedicated to the initiative, the plan set out to transform daily life for over 300,000 residents across every district.

Additional Chief Secretary Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq and Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal formally signed the agreement.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Development and Climate Resilience project aims to deliver a comprehensive package of climate-resilient interventions across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a press statement.

The interventions will range from improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation services through 216 water supply and sewerage schemes (117 drinking water supply schemes and 30 sanitation projects including sewerage network and wastewater treatment).

Additionally, 1200-1300kW of clean energy is also expected to be generated through hydropower initiatives. The project, the statement added, will also strengthen climate resilience through vulnerability assessments across all 110 Union Councils, alongside the green retrofitting of 3,000 households and energy-efficient, resilient construction of 700 households.

It added that the project will further invest in people and institutions through training in climate-smart planning, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure management. The project is expected to reach approximately 43,200 households (325,600 people), with women comprising at least 40% of beneficiaries.