Experts has urged Vietnam to early participate in the 1997 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses ofInternational Watercourses to have more favourable conditions inprotecting and exploiting this natural resource.
This is the common opinion of experts in water resource and riverbasin at a national consultation on the UN convention held by theVietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in conjunctionwith the World Wide Fund for Nature (WFF) and the Centre for SustainableDevelopment of Water Resources and Adaption to Climate Change, in thenorthern 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 courseof many big rivers, joining the convention will help not only preventfloods from uncontrolled water discharge in wet seasons, but also ensurewater for irrigation and development in deltas and protect theecological environment in dry seasons.
He saidthat when being a member of the convention, Vietnam will berequired to perfect its water resource planning and management.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses ofInternational Watercourses, approved by the UN General Assembly onMay 21, 1997, ensures the use, development, management and preservationof international water sources as well as boosts the sustainable use ofthis 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 35nations. By now 30 countries have ratified this convention.-VNA