Challenge for all humanity
Agriculture cannot develop without water. A lack of water leads to reduced crop yields, triggering severe consequences for food security and the livelihoods of millions.
However, a significant portion of farmland lies in areas where water resources are strained, unstable, or even critically depleted around the world. This reality has forced some nations to face with difficult dilemmas. For instance, in India, nearly 270 million tonnes of food (accounting for about 24% of the country’s total agricultural output) are grown in basins that use more water than their natural reserves. As the world's second-most populous country (1,459,365,825 people as of February 25, 2025, according to the United Nations), India has resorted to unsustainable solutions such as excessive groundwater extraction and river diversion to support agriculture. The World Resources Institute has also warned that: “The world is facing an unprecedented clean water crisis.”
The United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that by 2050, global food demand will increase by 60% due to population pressure. To feed approximately 10 billion people, global agricultural production must also rise by 50%. However, the challenge is not just about growing more food, it also involves adopting sustainable farming practices and using water efficiently. Advanced irrigation systems, drought-resistant crops, and improved water infrastructure must be expanded to prevent and mitigate looming food crises.
Above all, a shift in perception is necessary. Human survival depends on agriculture, but agriculture requires not only arable land but also a sufficient quantity and quality of water. The concept of "water security" must be understood comprehensively as it encompasses everything from water-related disasters and waterborne diseases to conflicts over shared resources, governance challenges, biodiversity, and groundwater quality.
It is estimated that approximately 80% of wastewater from industries and urban areas is discharged into the environment untreated, potentially polluting surface water, groundwater, and other natural resources, including agricultural land.
Beyond connections to agriculture and food security, every individual must have access to sufficient and safe water for health, livelihood, economic development, and global ecosystem protection. A stark example of the consequences of declining water quality is Bangladesh, where communities are facing a severe water pollution crisis. Many rivers are biologically “dead”, and 28% of deaths in Bangladesh are attributed to the use of contaminated water. Calls have been made to promote cooperation in mobilising approximately 450 million USD in public funding and 100 million USD in private investment to address this urgent issue.
The reality shows that meeting global financial demands for water supply and purification projects is still a daunting challenge. Water infrastructure is estimated to require an astonishing 6.7 trillion USD by 2030 and 22.6 trillion USD by 2050. Yet, the global water sector currently attracts less than 2% of public spending, with private investment at similarly low levels in low and middle-income countries. Clearly, more financial resources are needed, along with innovative approaches and advanced technologies, to maximise the impact of capital investment.
Every drop of clean water in the future will be of immense value. This is why intense disputes over water rights are emerging worldwide. A notable example is the conflict between the two countries of Egypt and Sudan and Ethiopia, following Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam — the largest hydroelectric project in Africa — on the Nile River.
Act in this existential mission
For Vietnam, water security and dam safety have long been identified by the Party and State as critical components of sustainable development, political stability, and national sovereignty.
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Clean water is an indispensable resource for human life. (Photo: Thanh Truc) |
In Conclusion No. 36-KL/TW (dated June 23, 2022) the Politburo outlined key requirements regarding ensuring sufficient water quantity and quality for all citizens under any circumstances; meeting the water demands of essential economic sectors; guaranteeing equitable and reasonable access to water for all; proactively storing and regulating water resources; efficiently utilising water while ensuring dam and reservoir safety; effectively responding to water-related disasters and climate change; and protecting the environment while addressing water degradation, depletion, and pollution.
These directives stem from pressing real-world challenges. Vietnam has 3,450 rivers and streams of at least 10 kilometres in length. The average annual surface water volume is approximately 830 billion cubic metres. However, 63% of this water originates from river basins outside the country’s territory. Specifically, 90% of the Mekong River system and over 50% of the Red River system’s basin lie beyond Vietnam’s borders, making it difficult to independently manage and exploit these water resources. In fact, the reason for the severe saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, which is an ongoing crisis, is the lack of upstream water flow.
Additionally, climate change and extreme weather events have been creating unpredictable challenges for both water volume and quality. Vietnam’s diverse climatic regions and the uneven natural distribution of water across time and space have led to imbalances between water demand and availability. According to international standards, Vietnam is now classified as a country facing water scarcity.
Moreover, the construction of dams for irrigation and hydroelectricity, as well as the filling of lakes, rivers, and streams for urban, industrial, tourism, and service development, has led to alarming pollution levels in Vietnam’s major rivers. Water pollution is further exacerbated by rapid population growth, increasing waste generation, and untreated discharge from industries and agriculture. In many rural areas, water sources are severely contaminated by untreated wastewater from factories, fertilisers, and livestock farming. An estimated 84.5 million tonnes of livestock waste is discharged into Vietnam’s environment annually, most of which is untreated.
If surface water pollution remains unaddressed, groundwater resources will also be at risk. This poses a serious threat not only to production activities but also to public health, placing enormous pressure on the healthcare system.
With only about five years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which water security is a key objective, Vietnam must accelerate comprehensive solutions. These include changing mindsets, improving water resource management laws, applying modern technologies, and strengthening international cooperation to ensure sustainable access to clean water.
According to the UN, approximately 3.6 billion people worldwide currently lack sufficient access to freshwater for at least one month per year. This number is expected to rise to 5 billion by 2050. Even more concerning, between 2021 and 2024, more than 50% of the world’s river basins are projected to experience severe drought conditions.
