The World Health Organization (WHO) and Bangladesh Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) government organized a conference on “Drinking Water Safety” on 27 October in Dhaka. Participants at the event discussed the quality of drinking water and water supply management practice, as well as actions and strategies to roll out a drinking water quality surveillance system in Bangladesh.
The conference was attended by the Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, M.P., WHO country representative Dr N Paranietharan and representatives from government, civil society and academics working in this sector. The event kicked off with a keynote presentation by WHO’s Technical Adviser on Water and Sanitation Program (WSP), Dr David Sutherland, on “drinking water safety – priorities for achieving the SDGs and monitoring of progress.” It was followed by several technical sessions which discussed contemporary issues relating to water safety and meeting the challenges to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The Minister Mr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, M.P., said that the path to ensuring safe water for all would be challenging due to urbanization, declining ground water level, environmental pollution and the impact of climate change. “The emerging challenges require commitment and coordinated action and we must act together” the Minister concluded. In his speech Dr N Paranietharan, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, stated priorities and strategic issues for achieving the SGD goal 6.1 and achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030. He also underscored the importance of monitoring parameters related to water quality management.