CAREC WASH Center Launches

The CAREC Institute, in collaboration with UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank, and Vital Strategies, has officially launched the Virtual CAREC WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Center. The center was established under a regional ADB TA, financed by the PRC Fund and Water Financing Facility. This online event brought WASH experts, policymakers, and youth representatives across the CAREC region to discuss the challenges and opportunities in enhancing WASH services.

The Virtual WASH Center will serve as a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and promoting water, sanitation, and hygiene innovations. It aims to foster collaboration among CAREC member countries, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and accelerate progress toward achieving the region’s sustainable development goals.

The event featured a live demonstration of the new knowledge portal, introduced a comprehensive 5-year strategy, and included engaging panel discussions on the center’s potential in addressing the WASH challenges and the role of youth in driving innovation knowledge solutions, and an interactive Q&A session.

Participants shared valuable ideas on developing the center and practical ways to tackle water, sanitation, and hygiene issues. They noted the need for climate-resilient WASH systems, stronger governance, and more regional cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals. The panelists also showed strong support for the center.

This milestone underscores the commitment of all participating organizations to promoting sustainable development and innovative approaches to mainstreaming WASH in the region.