Water cooperation initiative for livable cities

15/09/2015

      “Vietnam very much needs to promote cooperation between domestic and international water using sectors. Water resource planning and management must be part of its urban and socioeconomic development plans” Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said at an international symposium on the cooperation initiative for livable cities in Vietnam (VACI 2013) which took place in Hanoi on December 16, 2013.      Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that water was indispensable for production as well as economic development and social stability. Water has become regarded as a second strategic resource, after human resources worldwide. However, explosive population growth as well as rapid urbanization and industrialization have created big pressures on the environment in Vietnam, especially water resources which are becoming scarce and polluted.          Statistics show that Vietnam currently has about 800 cities and the number is predicted to double by 2020. Vietnam’s population has reached 90 million, ranking 13th in the world. Urban residents currently account for 33 percent of Vietnamese population and the percentage is forecasted to rise to 50 percent by 2030.      Increases in the number of cities as well as urban population have led to a higher demand for use of water in urban areas. Meanwhile, due to poor infrastructure, many cities in Vietnam do not yet meet practical needs in the field of water supply and drainage. The use of old, outdated equipment has left water resources polluted and deteriorated, leading to big losses. Consequently, people have faced a lack of hygienic water and dangerous epidemics have occurred.      Dr. Kester from the DSI Group (USA) took part in a four-year survey on the use of water in people’s everyday lives in Hanoi from 2009-2013. Based on the survey results, he said that many households in Hanoi were using water with the content of arsenic exceeding the levels allowed by Vietnam and the World Health Organization. Arsenic is a cancer-causing substance. Therefore, what Vietnam must immediately do to ensure the safety of water resources is improving the water treatment technology at water plants and seeking other water resources to replace polluted plants.      In addition, Vietnam must promote investment cooperation with other countries and international organizations to develop clean water supplies and standard wastewater treatment projects in order to prevent water waste. Furthermore, the Vietnamese Government must apply stricter pollution control regulations which require all businesses, from small to large companies, to meet minimum standards. These efforts are indispensable to create a safe environment for people.      The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is preparing a national action plan aimed at improving the effectiveness of water resource management, protection and utilization in order to ensure national water resource security in the short and long term, contributing to sustainable development, environmental protection and social security. A draft version of the action plan has been completed and the ministry is collecting the constructive opinions of localities and concerned agencies before submitting it to the Government for approval.   VEN