Nguyen Thai Lai, Head of the Water Resources Management Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, made the statement at a seminar held in Hanoi on October 13 to discuss the protection, exploitation and utilization of water resources.

Over the past years, the exploitation of water resources and prevention work against harms caused by water have made important contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, Mr Lai said.

“For better protection, exploitation and development of water resources, it is necessary to make a good plan to protect water resources and tap safe water to meet the people’s increasing demands”, said Dr Nguyen Le Tuan from the Water Resources Management Department.

Tran Thi Minh Ha, Head of the International Cooperation Department under the same ministry said it is very important to prevent water pollution apart from tapping safe water resources.

During the seminar, participants from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant agencies discussed measures to implement the Prime Minister’s Decision No 81/2006/QD-TTg on the approval of the national strategy for water resources through 2020.