Vietnam stresses importance of ethical standards in handling water resources

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has highlighted the need to establish a social ethical standard in relations and behaviours regarding water resources, especially transboundary water, in accordance with the principles of fairness, equality, rationality, and respect for the rights and interests of other countries in river basins.
Vietnam stresses importance of ethical standards in handling water resources ảnh 1Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has highlighted the need to establish a social ethical standard in relations and behaviours regarding water resources, especially transboundary water, in accordance with the principles of fairness, equality, rationality, and respect for the rights and interests of other countries in river basins. 

He made the call when addressing the opening session of the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York on March 22.

Sharing concerns about the fact that nearly one-third of theworld's population are living in countries with water stress or scarcity, the Deputy PM stressed that the water agenda should be given a prominent position in sustainable development, alongside climate change, socio-economic development and environmental development. 
        
He said a global science-based legal framework is needed to orient and coordinate the sustainable exploitation, use, and restoration of water resources, and urged the formation of global and regional science and technology centres on water, along with a monitoring network and a database on water, and plans for the exploitation, use and improvement of quality of water for transboundary rivers.
Ha also proposed establishing UN organisations and agencies suchas a scientific committee on transboundary water and an international rivercouncil, setting up a transboundary river basin financial fund or expanding theriver basin financing function for the Global Environment Facility. 
Talking to other participants at the conference, Deputy PMHa said that Vietnam has been implementing many policies and solutions tostrengthen the effective management, protection and sustainable exploitationand use of water resources, contributing to ensuring the implementation ofsustainable development goals in accordance with the 2030 Agenda.

Vietnam has continuously worked to perfect and strengthen theinstitutional and policy framework to ensure people have access to clean andhygienic water; and commits to ensuring maximum benefits that water brings while minimising water-related harms, thus contributing to economicdevelopment and improvement of life quality.

Specifically, 100% of major river basins in Vietnam havetheir water resources regulated to address water scarcity through waterresource planning. By 2030, all households in urban areas will have access toclean water in accordance with standards, Ha stated.

He also affirmed Vietnam’s pledge to maintain cooperationwith other countries, actively participate in action programmes and collaborationinitiatives on water and water security, and share information, particularlywith countries with shared water sources, contributing to global efforts for aworld of sustainable development.

The UN Water Conference, held for the first time after 46years, is an opportunity for countries to discuss, evaluate, share experienceand results of implementing the International Decade for Action “Water forSustainable Development”; seek new initiatives, and make global commitments andaction plans./.   
    
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