Zambia Launches SDG 6 Monitoring Workshop to Improve Water and Sanitation Reporting

By Alain kabinda

Government has launched the SDG 6 Integrated Monitoring Initiative Inception Workshop aimed at strengthening Zambia’s capacity to monitor and report progress on water and sanitation targets under the global Sustainable Development Goals.

During the Official opening the three-day workshop in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Eng. Romas Kamanga stated that the initiative marks an important step in improving data systems critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

                                                         (PS Eng. Romas Kamanga)

Eng. Kamanga said reliable and comprehensive data remains essential in guiding policy decisions and measuring national progress.

“We cannot manage what we do not measure,” he said.

He noted that while Zambia has made progress in reporting on water supply, sanitation and hygiene, integrated water resources management, and transboundary water cooperation, significant gaps remain in data availability, institutional coordination, human resource capacity, and ICT infrastructure.

Eng. Kamanga disclosed that Zambia was selected alongside only three other countries globally to receive focused support under the Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 after formally expressing interest in August 2024.

He said the selection reflects international recognition of Zambia’s commitment to strengthening water and sanitation monitoring systems.

“This workshop is the beginning of a structured and well-supported effort to address our existing gaps,” he said.

Eng Kamanga added that participants are expected to deepen their understanding of SDG 6 indicators and reporting methodologies, assess current national monitoring systems, identify priority areas for technical support, and lay the foundation for a joint support plan to guide Zambia’s future reporting efforts.

He urged participants drawn from government ministries, quasi-government institutions, and United Nations agencies to engage actively during the deliberations.

“The quality of what we produce here depends entirely on the quality of your engagement,” he said.

Eng. Kamanga also thanked UN-Water and partner agencies, including UNICEF, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Programme and UNESCO for supporting Zambia’s efforts.

He said strong partnerships are critical if the country is to meet the 2030 deadline for achieving universal access to water and sanitation.

The workshop is expected to help strengthen institutional coordination and improve evidence-based decision-making in Zambia’s water sector.

Eng. Kamanga said with less than five years remaining before the 2030 target, the country must accelerate action and ensure that reliable evidence drives planning and implementation.

“With these efforts, Zambia is positioning itself to improve accountability and strengthen sustainable water and sanitation management for all citizens,” he said.