UNSC: Vietnam calls for goodwill dialogues for GERD-related issues

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam called for goodwill dialogues to find a satisfactory solution to issues related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at a meeting of the UN Security Council on July 8.

In his remarks at the event, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese mission to the UN, expressed concern about the unsustainable exploitation of international flows, and the lack of assurance of legitimate interests of involved relevant parties, especially downstream countries.

Quy said that the use of water sources for development purposes is a legal right, but the use of international water sources must be in accordance with international law and commitments of concerned countries on the basis of harmonising the interests of riparian countries to ensure sustainable use and equitable sharing of water resources.

He underlined the importance of strengthening the codification and development of international law relating to sustainable use of trans-boundary water resources, including via the implementation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses.

Regarding GERD, the diplomat called on countries to continue making efforts and promoting achieved results, especially in implementing the Declaration of Principles for GERD construction (DoPs 2015), thus contributing to the development in the region.

Disputes should be resolved by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiation, in which the parties need to take into account views and legitimate interests of each country in the spirit of friendly neighbourliness and goodwill, and in accordance with international law and the agreement on DoPs 2015.

Vietnam supports the role and responsibility of the African Union (AU) in promoting negotiations and mediating regional issues, Quy said, adding that the union needs to make more efforts to assist the parties in resolving outstanding issues, including legal and technical issues.

He also called on stakeholders to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and affect chances of reaching a resolution in this issue.

During the meeting, rapporteurs warned of negative impacts on the environment, security and stability in the region if the parties do not agree on the sustainable exploitation and use of Nile water. They requested countries to continue dialogues and share information towards reaching consensus and common understanding on the use of water resources.

Representatives from UNSC member nations conveyed a message calling on Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to hold dialogue in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill to soon find a satisfactory and acceptable solution for all the parties.

GERD is a hydroelectric project launched in 2011 on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and two downstream countries, Sudan and Egypt, have been working to discuss technical and legal issues relating to the project since 2012 but are yet to come to an agreement.

In March 2015, the three countries adopted the DoPs 2015./.