The closing ceremony of South Asian Conference on Sanitation 7 being organized by Ministry of Climate Change held in Islamabad in which declaration was signed. Federal minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah khan said while addressing the closing ceremony of SACOSAN 7 good sanitation is crucial for people health and financial prosperity and economic growth. A lot has been achieved during Millennium Development Goals era by the South Asian Countries with Pakistan, Maldives and Srilanka achieving Millennium development Goals sanitation targets. However still 500 million people in South Asian Countries defecate in open. He further added the rate of open defecation remains higher than those of other poorer countries and regions in the world. He further highlighted that Pakistan grapples with several development priorities in a resources constrained environment. He further told he participants that considering the importance of the water and sanitation, the government of Pakistan recognized sanitation and water as key priority areas under our vision 2025 strategy. The SDGs were formally launched in October 2015 by the Ministry of planning, Development and Reforms. In February 2016, Pakitan became the firs country in the world whose National assembly passed a unanimous resolution adopting the SDGs Agenda as Pakistan Development agenda which can be termed as Pakistan Development Goals. He also launched the idea of organizing Green Cricket among countries for public awreness. Mr.Ghulam Qadir, Focal Point of SACOSAN7 of Afghanistan said while addressing the closing ceremony. We have learned a lot from side events, technical sessions. This Region has witnessed positive changes. The Progress is encouraging but there is still need to achieve more. Kinlay Dorjee, Mayor Kingdom of Bhutan said through this 3 days of events we have learned a lot. We have extensive exchange of ideas and Islamabad declaration is result of this process.. Bhutan is committed towards effective implementation of Islamabad declaration. We will try our level best to provide water, sanitation and hygiene before Mr.Samir Kumar Economic Advisor, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Republic of India. We learned a lot in the conference. India has done great job in Great Bharat Mission. We were at 39% at start and now reached at 80% in behaviour change. He further highlighted that Sanitation can lead to better health. We need to learn from each other experiences. India will host SACOSAN 8 in 2020. Mr. Abdual Mateem Mohammad Minister for Ministry of Environment and Energy Republic of Maldives said Discussions focused on achieving targets with leaving no one behind. Advocacy of awareness, capacity building, in the regions. Much needed funds. By 2030. Safe sanitation in South Asia can be achieved through right polices and commitments from Mr. Abdul Rauff Hibathul Hakeem,Minister for Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply, Government of Srilanka. We achieved our Millennium Development Goals related to sanitation before time It is matter of pride that we have taken into consideration the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities.
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