Speaking at the launch ceremony for the “International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028,” Head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission to the UN, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, emphasised the role of water in the development and prosperity of nations, as well as in the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
She stressed the need to take action immediately if humanity does not want to suffer from a state of serious water scarcity in the future, while mentioning Vietnam's efforts to promote water cooperation. She also praised the focus of the Decade for Action towards the people, especially women and children.
She expressed her hope to continue receiving support from the international community for countries vulnerable to climate change and agricultural countries in the water sector, especially in terms of resources and technology transfer. The initiatives from Vietnam were welcomed by the international delegates at the event.
The launch of the International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028. (Photo: UN)
The launch of the ten-year water action plan took place on March 22, under the chairmanship of UN General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak. High-ranking guests at the ceremony were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Ministers from Bangladesh, Ecuador and Ethiopia, as well as representatives from UN member countries.
The President of Tajikistan, on behalf of the participating countries in the High-Level Panel on Water, shared the group's recommendations on the focus of the International Decade for Action, which emphasised enhancing information sharing on water, the protection of water resources, increased investment in water research, and increased attention toward vulnerable groups in gaining access to water.
Representatives from the participating countries shared their efforts in international and regional cooperation to address water-related challenges, as well as introducing innovative technologies to handle water scarcity and emphasising the need to include water issues with other development, security and environmental issues.
