The European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have entered into an agreement for a new climate initiative in the Punjab region.

The signing of the agreement took place between EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka and Deputy Director AFD Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Asia, Ms. Julie Marsaudon in Islamabad.

As per the official statement, the initiative's objective is to enhance access to drinking water and sanitation services through the installation of 200 kilometers of new water supply pipes and the provision of 55,000 new connections. The focus extends to building capacities, increasing water treatment capability by 135,000 cubic meters per day, and reinforcing urban water governance. This endeavor is anticipated to benefit 400,000 individuals by improving access to drinking water.

During the event, the EU Ambassador emphasized the commitment to assisting Pakistan in enhancing resilience to climate change, expressing the EU's readiness to intensify efforts in supporting the country's environmentally sustainable and inclusive growth.

In a related development last month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) granted a $180 million loan to enhance water supply and solid waste management services in two rapidly growing cities in Punjab province, Pakistan. The project, named Developing Resilient Environments and Advancing Municipal Services in Punjab, aims to reduce excessive groundwater extraction and address urban environmental degradation by modernizing water supply in Rawalpindi and solid waste management systems in Bahawalpur. ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, highlighted that the project aims to make municipal services in these cities more sustainable, resilient, and environmentally friendly.