Bhutan joined SWA in 2017. The National 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023) highlights water, sanitation and hygiene as a priority for the Kingdom, emphasizing the need for "Sustainable water-ensured water for all "and a more efficient management of wastes. In addition to the Five-Year Plan, the government prioritized water security and therefore, a flagship program with the objective to provide 24x7 safe drinking water is underway to address issues of low accessibility despite the high-water availability. Bhutan's joining of SWA was inspired by participation in a multi-stakeholder process in Pakistan. The two lead ministries (Ministry of Health and Ministry of Works and Human Settlement) in consultation with other relevant sectors have harmonized the SDG 6.1 and 6.2 indicators with the National Key Result Areas (NKRA 8 and 15) of the 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023). Bhutan’s planning process is based on inclusive bottom up planning where local governments prioritise developmental activities according to the local needs aligned with NKRAs.
Commitments by the government
100% basic sanitation coverage in at least 50% of the Gewogs (Blocks) of the country.
Develop an inclusive national road map for sanitation and hygiene.
Establish baseline for SDG 6.2
Explore proper cost recovery mechanism to meet out operational expenditure for urban WASH infrastructure.
Commitments by partners
Forge partnership with the Ministry of Health to reach out to the most vulnerable populations that were left behind in order to give them access to adequate toilet facilities.
Lobby with government to pass the National Sanitation Policy and become an implementing partners of the policy.
Upgrade all old school toilets to improved PF toilet using SATO technology (toward Zero pit latrine in schools) and push for new school toilets to use equally resilient technology in partnership with Ministry of Education and UNICEF Bhutan.
Focal Points
Documents
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Line of Control as promulgated in the 1972 SIMLA Agreement
Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not been agreed upon by the parties
The boundaries and names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations