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To boost investment into green, resilient sanitation, GGGI and the Government of Nepal launch the ‘Green Sanitation Services Program’

On July 11, 2019, GGGI, in coordination with the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), and under the guidance of the Ministry of Water Supply and Ministry of Forests and Environment, launched Phase I of the Green Sanitation Services Program.

This program builds on activities undertaken by GGGI in seven municipalities across Provinces 3 and 4 during 2017-18. The fundamental goal of the Green Sanitation Services Program is to facilitate investment into green, climate-smart sanitation technologies in Nepal. To achieve this, the program will undertake policy review of the sanitation sector at the national and local levels, develop municipal green growth strategies at the local level, and develop and commercialize green sanitation technologies into financially robust sanitation services.

Supporting the program objectives, Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply said, “We need to integrate green sanitation practices at both the national and local levels to ensure the system is sustainable.” The launch was followed by a technical session during which stakeholders were briefed on the project concept and design and discussed key elements for implementation.

Beyond national level activities, the program will be implemented in two municipalities. The first, the Municipality of Mahalaxmi, has been a partner of GGGI since 2017. Honorable Mr. Rameshwor Shrestha, Mayor, Municipality of Mahalaxmi said, “We prioritize development of infrastructure as well as sanitation services,” highlighting his ongoing efforts in the sanitation sector and initiatives to green his city. The second municipality has yet to be defined.

During the round table discussion that followed, participants from government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and academia discussed viable sanitation technologies and service models that could be adopted in Nepal. Participants also explored the opportunities and challenges of sanitation from the perspective of private business. Within the program, low cost, technologically appropriate and financially sustainable service models will be built around emerging sanitation technologies that offer a strong business case in Nepal’s context.

“The sanitation sector has been largely overlooked when it comes to climate change and climate financing. We are very excited to be moving forward with this program, through which we will create new opportunities for green sanitation in Nepal,” said Mr. Rowan Fraser, Country Representative, GGGI Nepal.