Viet Nam: Climate change threatens water security

Ensuring water security is becoming an urgent task for Việt Nam in the context of climate change, which is impacting all aspects of life, heard a conference on Wednesday. 

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Moreover, climate change and natural disasters are also leading to an imbalance of water resources. Prolonged heat and decreases in rainfall are threatening all regions in the country. 

The demand for water in the country has also increased from 50 billion cu.m a year in 1990 to 72 billion cu.m a year in 2010. It is predicted to reach 80 billion cu.m in 2020. 

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Association suggested Việt Nam pay attention to dealing with four issues: socio-economic and environmental impacts of water use, relationship between land use and water resources, consequences of shifting water resources and social matters arising during a water crisis. 

VAWR Deputy Director Trần Đình Hòa stressed the need for co-operation between countries to protect and use water resources effectively and equally. 

“It is also necessary to have a complete policy system on water resources to increase the efficiency of water management, protection and use, and change public awareness and action in ensuring water security”, he added.