June marked a pivotal moment for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nepal. The Prime Ministerial Initiative, as part of the Heads of State Initiative (HoSI) at the Financing for Development Conference in Seville, signals an unprecedented level of political commitment to transforming the nation through improved WASH services. Endorsed by the Cabinet on June 26, 2025, this initiative is not just another policy announcement. It is a bold, strategic declaration that positions WASH as a national development priority –anchored in cross-party consensus and intergovernmental collaboration. At its core, it recognises that progress in health, education, gender equity and economic development is deeply tied to foundational investments in water and sanitation.

In his address, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on the international community to match political will with practical action, noting that progress must accelerate sixfold to achieve universal WASH access by 2030. Recent government data shows that 96% of the population has access to basic water services, though quality, equity and sustainability remain persistent challenges. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2025) report highlights Nepal's progress on Goal 6 is moderately increasing. Given this situation, the role of development partners is critical to ensure collective investment and build institutional capacity to leave no one behind.

One promising aspect of the HOSI is its focus on sustainable financing. Plans to unlock both domestic and international resources – including a High-Level Financing Dialogue in 2026 – reflect a mature understanding that WASH progress requires more than good intentions; it requires long-term financial planning. Equally transformative is the adoption of a 20-year Sector Development Plan – a strategic roadmap to ensure continuity and coherence across governments and sectors. In the past, fragmented programmes and short-term projects undermined sustainability and impact.

Two flagship programmes: 'One House, One Tap' and a National Sanitation Programme targeting 100 municipalities – are central pillars of this initiative. These are more than infrastructure projects. They are commitments to inclusive service delivery, dignity and equity for every household. The integration of climate resilience, digital innovation and regulatory reform into the WASH agenda is both timely and essential. This initiative makes it clear: we cannot build the future using tools from the past.

Beyond its national implications, this initiative places Nepal in a leadership role globally. By aligning with regional and international WASH priorities, Nepal is signalling its readiness to contribute to the global movement through knowledge-sharing and partnerships. In my view, this initiative isn't just about pipes and toilets – it's about people. It's about every child who can attend school because a toilet is available, every mother who no longer walks hours for water, and every community that can thrive in dignity, health and opportunity.

The 2006 UN Human Development Report clearly indicated that the Development Goals would remain out of reach without tackling the water and sanitation crisis. Yet, few countries have truly prioritised WASH politically –with sufficient budgetary allocations and long-term development tools. Nepal is charting a new course. Since the 2015 Constitution, we've made progress in policy, legislation and institutional reform. We now have a WASH Policy, Water and Sanitation Act, and Water and Sanitation Regulation and standards related to water supply and wastewater. However, we must now turn frameworks into results.

The global evidence is clear: investing in WASH yields transformative returns. According to the UN, every dollar invested delivers between $2 and $16 in benefits – from climate resilience and health improvements to educational outcomes and economic growth. The costs of inaction – especially in the face of antimicrobial resistance, re-emerging cholera hotspots and climate change – are too great to ignore.

This initiative should not be a government-alone effort. Achieving the SDG WASH targets in another five years will require a broad coalition: development partners, civil society, private sector, UN agencies, service providers, regulators and citizens alike.

For over a decade, the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership – comprising over 400 organisations – has helped galvanise political will. By June 2023, 33 countries and 9 global agencies had made 81 financing commitments – nearly a quarter focused on increasing national budgets.

A 2022 study found that WASH investments also offer political capital: National compacts or initiatives led by political leaders can fundamentally reshape how WASH is perceived – transforming it from a service issue to a matter of equity and national pride.

Despite notable policy advancements, implementation remains challenged by financial limitations. Government data often lacks consistency, and there is an urgent need for an integrated database to support effective monitoring, evaluation and planning.

To realise the Prime Minister's vision, we must mobilise serious private sector engagement. We need to move beyond one-off infrastructure projects and make a compelling case for long-term, programmatic investments – investments that speak the language of finance ministers: cost recovery, impact and sustainability.

Climate vulnerability also requires that we innovate in service delivery and infrastructure design, guided by evidence and adaptive planning.

Nepal's Prime Ministerial Initiative on WASH is a historic opportunity – not just for sectoral reform, but for national transformation. It places WASH where it truly belongs at the heart of development, equity and human dignity.

Neupane is the country director of WaterAid in Nepal