Ambassador underscores importance of water sector in Vietnam-Australia trade ties

Ambassador Mudie emphasised that both countries have been in the process of developing projects that focus on the vitality of rivers, planning water resources, improving irrigation efficiency, and finding more sustainable solutions to global water challenges.

In line with this, experience in management and new technology, as well as policy orientations shared during the Vietnam - Australia Water Week 2021, will help the country ensure water resource security, water supply safety, and maintain the welfare and sustainable development of citizens.

Regarding bilateral co-operation relationship, Deputy Ambassador Mark Tattersall said that over the past two decades, the nation has seen rapid economic development, thereby bringing about plenty of social benefits.

Along with the many achievements the country has recorded in recent times, the Vietnamese water sector is facing numerous challenges in terms of energy transition, and sufficient water supply associated with competitive factors, including hydro-electricity, agriculture, industry, and people's daily life.

Concerning hydropower along the Mekong River, Deputy Ambassador Tattersall said that Australia sponsors the main part of the capital for the Mekong River Commission in order to promote and co-operate in the region on transboundary water resources.

In a letter sent to mark the opening session of the Vietnam - Australia Water Week 2021 on the morning of September 16, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh touched upon some of the difficulties and challenges faced in terms of non-traditional security. This includes issues such as environmental degradation, climate change, and especially the complicated COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing great losses to many economies globally, as well as the social life of people worldwide.

The event also saw Deputy Minister of Construction Le Quang Hung highly appreciate the organisation of the Vietnam - Australia Water Week 2021, running with the theme “Water Security for Sustainable Development”, which is viewed as a key task for many countries, including both Vietnam and Australia.

Deputy Minister Hung also suggested that the water sector's agencies and companies, utilise this forum to enhance the sharing of experience, technological achievements, and solutions for developing the water sector. This can therefore contribute to the two countries' efforts to quickly achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals by 2030.

During the course of the event, water enterprises from both sides have been encouraged to promote trade and co-operation in business, along with transferring advanced, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly technology. The Vietnamese side also anticipates that Australian financier will invest in inter-regional and inter-provincial scale water supply schemes and projects via an appropriate form.

The Vietnam - Australia Water Week is designed to share experience, difficulties, and challenges, and offer solutions, as well as policy directions for development sustainable of the water sector in the near future.

The event is taking place virtually due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and has attracted 960 participating registrations, and representatives from 26 countries, including India, Cambodia, and Indonesia, Nepal, and Thailand.