Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) Binh Dinh (VNA) – The Science for PeaceParliamentary Meeting themed "Water security and insecurity: Rebuilding peacefulcoexistence with science" opened on in the central province of BinhDinh on September 11, attracting 60 scientists and young parliamentarians from 18 countriesacross the world.
The event, co-organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU),the scientific and educational organisation “Rencontres du Vietnam” (MeetingVietnam), the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Binh Dinh provincialPeople’s Committee, aims to provide an academic forum to realise the vision ofunifying international affairs through science, towards peaceful coexistence.It also serves as a platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue on topics related tothe core objectives of the IPU.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the National AssemblyNguyen Duc Hai emphasised that water security is one of the majornon-traditional security challenges of the world today.
Specifically, about one-third of the world's countries are suffering fromwater shortages. It is predicted that the rate will increase to two-thirds withabout 35% of the world's population experiencing serious water shortages, he said.
To ensure water security for over 100 million people and as adeveloping middle-income country, Vietnam is facing challenges including watershortages, more natural disasters due to climate change impacts, waterpollution, and modest access to clean/safe water with affordable prices.
Hai added that in the past time, the Vietnamese NationalAssembly proactively and actively proposed activities and participated in the IPU'sglobal initiatives relating to water issues. The IPU has supported and coordinatedclosely with Vietnam to promote parliamentary cooperation in solving globalchallenges.
During the three-day event, participants will discuss in-depthtopics such as science and politics; earth observation programmes to monitorwater resources; typical legislative practice; multilateral, regional, andbilateral diplomacy on water resources for cross-border cooperation; a humanrights-based approach to water security and peace; innovating water treatmenttechnology to ensure water source security; promoting water security throughcommunity science; Network of Parliamentary Alliances on Water Resources;scientific diplomacy and predictive science./.
