Washington, D.C. – The Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC), represented by Deputy Chief Operating Officer Isha Baysal and Co-Director Prof. Sangam Shrestha, made significant contributions to the World Bank’s two-day learning session on Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS). The event, held on June 10-11, 2025, at the World Bank Headquarters, brought together global experts to foster knowledge exchange and strategize the future of urban sanitation.

As a key partner, GWSC, which hosts the CWIS Technical Assistance (TA) Hub for Asia at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), was invited to share its regional expertise. The center has been instrumental in mainstreaming CWIS principles into large-scale sanitation investments since 2019, influencing policy, enabling pipeline investments, and strengthening frameworks for climate resilience and social inclusion.

Day 1: A Springboard for Action

The first day focused on reflecting on past experiences to inform future actions. A panel of World Bank Task Team Leaders (TTLs) set the stage by discussing the complex realities of sanitation work. Key takeaways included the recognition that sanitation is one of the most challenging Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often hindered by fragmented institutions and regulatory models that don’t align with city-level needs.

In a dedicated session, GWSC and its African counterpart, Cabinet EDE, presented the work of their respective TA Hubs. The GWSC presentation detailed its technical assistance approach, the scope of its projects, and the tangible impact on beneficiaries and investment. The presentation sparked considerable interest, with attendees posing questions about the financing mechanisms for TA work, the definition of beneficiaries, innovative approaches to CWIS, and the modality of GWSC’s MoU with the Asian Development Bank.

Day 2: Innovating for the Future

The second day, themed “Roadmap for Sanitation Innovations in Bank Operations,” shifted focus to technology and new service models. Dr. Najib from the Gates Foundation opened the session, highlighting the Reinvented Toilet initiative and the challenge of making such innovations accessible and equitable, particularly in informal settlements. A case study from South Africa provided a practical look at deploying new technologies through partnerships between research commissions, technology providers, municipalities, and development banks.

A “TA Hub gallery walk” provided an interactive platform for deeper engagement. Participants expressed strong interest in GWSC’s unique position as a center hosted within AIT, a respected postgraduate institution. This model was seen as a strategic advantage for delivering regional technical assistance. There was also specific interest in the Information Management and Implementation System (IMIS), a tool advanced by TA Hub Asia to enhance evidence-based planning.

Forging a Path Forward

The event concluded with remarks from Ms. Yogita Mumssen, Manager of the Global Water Practice at the World Bank, who reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to scaling up CWIS and strengthening the capacity of its teams and clients.

For GWSC, the session proved to be a critical opportunity for collaboration. The delegation engaged in promising discussions with several TTLs, including Ms. Monica Vidili and Ms. Kamila Galeza, to explore partnerships on the Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) front. Multiple TTLs also showed keen interest in adopting GWSC’s CWIS planning approach. A virtual follow-up meeting is scheduled to detail these potential collaborations and define the next steps.