Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Asia-Pacific Water Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit – Photo: VNA

The conference was hosted by the Government of Japan in Kumamoto city from April 23-24 with the participation of the Emperor and Prime Minister of Japan, many heads and prime ministers of countries in the Asia-Thailand region. Binh Duong, including 6 other ASEAN countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines and Thailand.

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on behalf of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and with personal affection sent wishes of health and best wishes to the King, leaders of Vietnam. leaders and delegates attending the Conference.

The Head of Government emphasized the unprecedented synergistic effects of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, climate change, and over-exploitation of natural resources. There is water resources, which has been leaving huge and multifaceted consequences for today’s and future generations, requiring a global approach and solutions.

The Prime Minister affirmed that in order to proactively respond to and minimize the negative impacts of these challenges, and at the same time promote green, sustainable, inclusive and transnational economic growth, especially the post-pandemic recovery process. During the pandemic, each country’s efforts are a key and decisive factor, but international cooperation is important and breakthrough.

These are global issues that require a global approach and solutions, and further strengthen international solidarity and cooperation and uphold multilateralism.

In that context, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed three groups of measures to be deployed in the region.

Firstly, strengthen regional and international cooperation that is open, transparent, substantive and mutually beneficial. The international community together seriously and effectively implement international commitments on water resources, especially the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations until 2030, the Paris Agreement and commitments at COP26 on climate change. Later, Sendai Framework for Action on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Secondly, it is suggested that Japan and developed countries pay attention to, share and support developing countries in experience, finance, technology, administration, human resource training, basic investigation and planning. water use for effective management, sustainable exploitation and equitable allocation of water resources. Prioritize sustainable management and protection of ecosystems with solutions that follow nature, harmonize with nature and conserve biodiversity; ensure fairness and justice in solving water-related issues.

Third, strengthen cooperation and support the operation of organizations and cooperation mechanisms on transboundary river basin management such as the International Mekong River Commission and other river basin cooperation mechanisms. Focusing on promoting comprehensive solutions including digital transformation, encouraging the participation of businesses and people, promoting public-private cooperation, strengthening smart water governance…

For Vietnam, water resources are at risk of decline due to over-exploitation, overloaded hydropower development in many places, along with the impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

Therefore, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam has always identified water as a strategic resource, which should be managed, exploited and used appropriately, safely, to ensure hygiene and effectively to promote development in the direction of sustainable development. green, circular and sustainable; ensure the harmony and rationality between economic growth and environmental protection and adaptation to climate change; without sacrificing social security, living environment, and water security to pursue economic growth.

The head of the Government also affirmed that over the past time, Vietnam has always actively participated and contributed to the common effort at all levels of international cooperation, especially with countries that share water sources with Vietnam such as Laos. , Cambodia, China and other international partners to manage, develop, protect and use sustainably and efficiently and for mutual benefit the water resources from rivers.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister thanked the valuable support of international partners, including Japan and wished to continue to receive more effective support and cooperation from other countries and international organizations. economic, business community, especially in cooperation projects to develop water resource infrastructure and not to make too big changes in the natural flow of rivers, especially the Mekong River.

The Prime Minister also affirmed his support for the Kumamoto Declaration issued by the Government of Japan at the Conference.

The Asia-Pacific Water Summit is an initiative of former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto launched at the 4th Global Water Forum in 2006, held every 2-3 years. and focus on different aspects of the water problem.

The purpose is to create a forum for heads of state and senior leaders of countries and organizations in the region to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation in solving issues related to water resources.