Meeting discusses solutions for water resources management

Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has called for the National Water Resources Council (NWRC) to strengthen the organisation and capacity of water resources management agencies.

At a meeting discussing solutions to increase the effective management of water resources in Hanoi on July 29, Deputy PM Hai also asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to formulate a master plan for water resources assessment, protection, exploitation and use, and finalise river basin planning.

The NWRC Office should soon present the council's action plan for 2009, including its report on the impacts, changes and the exploitation situation of big rivers, rising sea level and water standards, he said.

The meeting focused on water resources indexes and management measures in the country.

The council emphasised the importance of reducing conflicts and promoting social and environmental sustainable development in water resources exploitation and use.

The meeting also pointed out shortcomings in the public awareness of this vital resource as the water is not considered as a rare resource and a type of commodity while water services have not been fully assessed.

There remain lacks of river basin planning and Governmental-level cooperation mechanisms and agreements for countries sharing a basin of many rivers, said the meeting.-Enditem