Roundup: Regional water summit calls for action against rising need by 2050

by Feng Yingqiu

YAGNON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The two-day 3rd Asia-Pacific Summit on Water ended in Myanmar's Yangon on late Tuesday with a Yangon Declaration calling for action against rising need of water by Asian people by 2050.

"About 1.1 billion people in Asia live in areas currently experiencing severe water stress and unless significant action is taken, that number is expected to rise by more than 40 percent by 2050", said the Yangon Declaration released following several discussions by the leaders of the Asia-Pacific region.

The summit set out a course for the sustainable development of the region with a perspective on water, improve cooperation in safeguarding against disasters related to water, encourage partnership and share knowledge and experience.

Myanmar Minister of Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung, who is also vice chair of Myanmar's National Water Resources Committee, announced the adoption of the Yangon Declaration, urging for mutual cooperation among countries in the region to achieve water security at the regional, national as well as global level.

Noting that Myanmar's action with regard to water-related disaster is only half-way that is recovery part, U Thant Sin Maung stressed the need to be proactive in the protection part, which includes mitigation measures that prevent or reduce the impact of water-related disaster.

Pointing the water resources potential for the realization of a water-based economy in Myanmar is quite bright, he emphasized the need to use it sustainably and pass it onto the future generations.

On the first day of the water summit, Myanmar government had pledged to promote the government-corporate-society (GCS) partnership for the security of water and sustainable development.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said the partnership will offer considerable opportunities for water-based enterprises within the framework of integrated water resources management in Myanmar, further pledging that the government will continue to provide better security and to develop the necessary policy and legal framework for water-related investment to flourish in the country.

Aung San Suu Kyi invited potential investors at home and abroad to engage in the country's bid for sustainable development of water resources.

Noting that Asia is home to half of the world's poorest people, Aung San Suu Kyi said water for agriculture continues to consume 80 percent of water resources and even more in Myanmar where about 91 percent is consumed by the sector.

Pointing out that the Asia-Pacific region is the most water-related, disaster-prone region in the world, she warned that the rising frequency of water-related disaster in the region has forced the Myanmar government to respond with unity and resilience, however saying that there is a wide variety in the degree and quality of response of individual nations.

Aung San Suu Kyi urged all governments in the region to do more to cope with the growing disaster threat caused by climate change.

She quoted a report of the Asian Development Bank as pointing out that only a number of countries have been investing wisely in disaster risk reduction projects and programs.

She insisted that collaboration between the countries in the region will enable all to combat water-related disaster more effectively.

The 3rd Asia-Pacific Summit on Water, hosted by the Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications, under the theme of "Water Security for Sustainable Development", was also attended by Vice President U Henry Van Thio and leaders from 48 countries in Asia-Pacific region. Enditem