Seminar seeks ideas on water resource security for sustainable development

Experts and scientists gathered at the annual seminar of the Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) on December 17, to contribute ideas for water resource security for sustainable development.
Seminar seeks ideas on water resource security for sustainable development ảnh 1On Mekong River (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – Experts and scientists gathered at the annual seminar of the Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) on December 17, to contribute ideas for water resource security for sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, head of the VRN Executive Board Dr. Dao Trong Tu said the seminar provides a platform for the sharing of viewpoints on issues related to water resource security, such as  environment impact assessment for development projects, the participation of parties concerned in the sustainable use, exploitation and protection of water resources, and energy development including hydro and thermal power, on rivers.

Dr. Le Anh Tuan from Can Tho University’s Research Institute for Climate Change pointed to several major problems of projects related to water resource security, including excessive water consumption that could cause the shortage of water in a certain time; causing changes in water ecological system, harming biodiversity; and polluting water resources, thus putting negative impacts on public health and water security.

Regarding measures to ensure water resource security in the context of climate change, Tu suggested improving State management effectiveness on water resource management, and enhancing science-technology activities on planning, design, construction and modernisation of smart water infrastructure in adaptation with climate change.

He also proposed improving hydro-meteorological forecasting, especially climate change scenarios, raising awareness of stakeholders about national water resource governance, as well as increasing the role and power of social organisations in the process of building and enforcing policies and laws regarding socio-economic development in general and water resource development in particular.

Participants discussed cooperation mechanisms among countries in the Mekong River basin, water resource governance in localities, responsibility and authority of the community for water resource monitoring, as well as consultation for building riverside works./.
VNA

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