Phnom Penh: The first ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue has urged parties and actors to promote greater transparency and deeper engagement to boost sustainable management of water and related resources throughout the region. The discussion has noted three solutions relating to policy, technology, and partnership that can help countries in the Mekong and broader ASEAN address existential water security challenges in the region.
Acting Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2021 Phonepaseuth Phouliphanh says, “In the midst of changing weather and hydrological regimes globally, there is a growing urgency for sustainable pathways to ensure a water-secure region. It requires leadership, innovation, and strategic collaboration among regional countries and their partners.”
The two-day dialogue conducted from 19-20 August has concluded that progressive policy and institutional reforms are needed to promote integrated water resources management. The parties have also called for closer regional and local integration specifically in the areas of water resource planning, pollution management, early forecasting, warning and awareness raising. The dialogue has also stressed on the importance of technology being part of the solution to the challenges. It has considered digitalization advanced modelling tools, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, currently represent some of the most impactful solutions to manage regional water resource databases.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community has highlighted the value of promoting regional cooperation and strengthening linkages among ASEAN countries to tackle emerging water issues that include equitable access to safe and affordable water supply, sufficient water to ensure food security to support the region’s economies, and sustained solutions that mitigate water-related hazards. He says, “The protection of the region’s water resources has historically been an integral part of ASEAN’s work over the years.”
The Mekong River Commission has showed its recent modelling on the impact of regional development which reveals the worsened environmental degradation for the past 25 years. The First ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue was built on the cooperation framework between ASEAN and the MRC signed in 2018. The MRC Secretariat and Lower Mekong countries, in conjunction with ASEAN Member States, are committed to achieving the objectives of the 1995 Mekong Agreement and the ASEAN’s vision for water security by 2025 through strengthened cooperation and coordination. The second ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue is scheduled on 2023 to focus on policy discussions that include a broader range of stakeholders.
