Hanoi (VNA) – Experts and scientists gatheredat the annual seminar of the Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) on December 17, to contributeideas for water resource security for sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, head of the VRN Executive Board Dr.Dao Trong Tu said the seminar provides a platform for the sharing of viewpointson issues related to water resource security, such as  environment impact assessment for developmentprojects, the participation of parties concerned in the sustainable use,exploitation and protection of water resources, and energy development includinghydro and thermal power, on rivers.

Dr. Le Anh Tuan from Can Tho University’s Research Institute for Climate Change pointedto several major problems of projects related to water resource security,including excessive water consumption that could cause the shortage of water ina certain time; causing changes in water ecological system, harmingbiodiversity; and polluting water resources, thus putting negative impacts onpublic health and water security.

Regarding measures to ensure water resource security in thecontext of climate change, Tu suggested improving State management effectivenesson water resource management, and enhancing science-technology activities onplanning, design, construction and modernisation of smart water infrastructurein adaptation with climate change.

He also proposed improving hydro-meteorological forecasting,especially climate change scenarios, raising awareness of stakeholders aboutnational water resource governance, as well as increasing the role and power ofsocial organisations in the process of building and enforcing policies and lawsregarding socio-economic development in general and water resource developmentin particular.

Participants discussed cooperation mechanisms amongcountries in the Mekong River basin, water resource governance in localities,responsibility and authority of the community for water resource monitoring, aswell as consultation for building riverside works./.