Experts has urged Vietnam to early participate in the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses to have more favourable conditions in protecting and exploiting this natural resource.

This is the common opinion of experts in water resource and river basin at a national consultation on the UN convention held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in conjunction with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WFF) and the Centre for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Adaption to Climate Change, in the northern port city of Hai Phong on June 17.

According to Nguyen An Nien, an expert from the Ho Chi Minh City’s science and technology association, as Vietnam lies on the lower course of many big rivers, joining the convention will help not only prevent floods from uncontrolled water discharge in wet seasons, but also ensure water for irrigation and development in deltas and protect the ecological environment in dry seasons.

He said that when being a member of the convention, Vietnam will be required to perfect its water resource planning and management.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, approved by the UN General Assembly on May 21, 1997, ensures the use, development, management and preservation of international water sources as well as boosts the sustainable use of this resource.

The convention also affirms the importance of international cooperation and good neighbourliness in this field.

It will come into effect after being approved and recognised by 35 nations. By now 30 countries have ratified this convention.-VNA