Water is a strategic resource

On April 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke online at the 4th Asia-Pacific Summit on returning home.

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

In that context, the Prime Minister proposed three groups of solutions in the water resource problem.

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

Secondly, it is suggested that developed countries pay attention to, share and support developing countries in terms of experience, finance, technology, governance, human resource training, basic survey and water use planning. for effective management, sustainable exploitation and equitable distribution 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…

As a country located downstream of large river basins, Vietnam’s water resources always contain unsustainable factors that affect water security such as over-exploitation, the Prime Minister emphasized. hydroelectricity development is overloaded in many places, the impacts of climate change or sea level rise.

Therefore, Vietnam always identifies water as a strategic resource, which needs to be managed, exploited and used appropriately, safely, effectively, and with hygiene to promote green and circular development. 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 Prime Minister believes, with the spirit of solidarity and extensive international cooperation; certain countries will work together to improve water quality, ensure water security, use inter-country water resources in a fair, harmonious, reasonable, cohesive and mutually beneficial manner; contribute to strengthening cooperation, prosperous development and prosperity in the region and in the world.