Welcomed meeting with designated State Secretary Dr. Henn @_BMUKN. Discussed our work on climate, biodiversity & nature & the important role @WBG_IDA plays in these areas that deliver resilience, economic growth and jobs. Expressed appreciation for Germany’s strong support.

💧 “A well-designed water investment can be a climate investment, a livelihoods investment and a community resilience investment all at once.” Speaking at the Global IDA Forum during the @WorldBankGroup-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok last week, Sultan Abbas – National Manager for Programme Development at AKF Afghanistan – shared how AKF's Water Emergency Relief Project (WERP) is helping communities respond to increasing climate pressures while strengthening local governance of water resources. Supported by the World Bank through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), and implemented by AKF with @ActionAid and @dacaar, WERP reaches around half a million people across 400 communities in 20 provinces. In a country facing recurring drought, declining groundwater levels and climate-related shocks, the programme combines climate adaptation, responsible water management and community ownership to support communities to secure reliable access to water and build resilience for the future. As drought deepens, farmers dig deeper for water and women walk farther to fetch it. A tap at the doorstep ends that walk, freeing time for health, learning and livelihoods. Women also helped shape the decisions: nearly 10,000 helped choose and prioritise schemes. During the session on 'Scaling Innovation to Deliver Impact', Sultan shared three lessons for scaling impact: ⚖️ Co-create solutions with communities from the outset, ensuring local priorities shape design and delivery. 🤝 Co-operate through trusted partnerships that combine global standards with deep local knowledge and long-term presence. 📊 Co-benefit by investing in solutions that address multiple challenges at once, strengthening climate resilience, supporting livelihoods and improving access to essential services. Thank you to the World Bank for the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and for its support in delivering impact with communities across Afghanistan. #AKF #WorldBank #WaterSecurity #ClimateResilience @WBG_IDA