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Jun 06, 2015 / 10:41

Vietnam, ASEM member countries boosts water management

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development held an Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) conference on strengthening concerted action on water management through post-2015 development agenda in the province of Ben Tre on June 4.

The annual event is initiated by the European Union and the seven members of the Danube-Mekong Cooperation Initiative, namely Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. 
 
Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh speaks at the opening ceremony of seminar
Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh speaks at the opening ceremony of seminar
It was the second time Vietnam has hosted such conference with the aim of discussing measures to bolster coordination in water resources management and develop the ASEM Post-2015 Development Agenda on the issue. 
Vietnam’s hosting of this ASEM conference aims to promote the country’s position in ASEM, contributing to the forum’s efforts to protect water resources.
Attending the conference were 180 delegates from 53 ASEM members and regional and international organisations, including the Mekong River Commission, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, and the World Bank. 
Addressing at the seminar, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh underscored the importance of water resources for human life and socio- economic development of all countries around the world.
He stated that the way one country uses water can not only determine its future but also affect the entire region. 
The Deputy PM suggested ASEM members should launch initiatives, solutions and feasible projects to manage and protect water resources more effectively.
Deputy PM Minh went on to declare that international cooperation will contribute substantially to the results of the 2011-2020 national strategy on sustainable development and a similar plan on water resources through to 2020 in Vietnam. 
The conference will adopt a report on proposals to be submitted to the 12th ASEAM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luxembourg in this November and the 11th ASEM Summit in Mongolia in 2016. 
The conference runs until June 5.