Water resources committee holds coordination meeting

September 5, 2017

U Henry Van Thio, Vice President and Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee, attended and delivered a speech at the third future work programme coordination meeting of the National Water Resources Committee at the Presidential Palace yesterday in Nay Pyi Taw.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee and Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung, Member and Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt.Gen Ye Aung, Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman Dr Myo Aung, Yangon Mayor U Maung Maung Soe, states and regions ministers, permanent secretaries, director generals and officials.

In his speech, the Vice President said this is the third future work programme coordination meeting of the National Water Resources Committee as well as a general meeting attended by all committee members. The future work programme coordination meeting was held for nationwide development of water-related sectors and to discuss and coordinate effective management and utilisation of water resources. It was also held for effective coop eration in water-related works conducted by relevant ministerial organisations, state and region governments and to discuss future work programmes.

The National Water Resources Committee successfully held a World Water Day event in March. Water-related works decided in coordination meetings were also being worked on by relevant officials, ministries and departments. Monthly progress and work done by ministerial departments related to a national-level water policy were assessed and requirements were coordinated. In order to systematically collect countrywide basic infrastructure data related to water, relevant ministerial departments need to assess and send annual changes in data, said the Vice President.

The Vice President added that the committee needed to make investments for the people in the water-related sector, reduce water-related natural disasters, ensure sustainable water utilisation, cooperate with neighbouring countries in trans-national rivers, obtain water-related information and technology and cooperate for mutual benefit, compile, collect and distribute water related data and information, conduct water-related educational work and capacity building work, support and participate in drawing and implementing projects and water-related cooperation with international organisations.

The committee is working together with the Asia Pacific Water Forum to successfully host the 3rd Asia-Pacific Water Forum from 11 to 12 December 2017, an important meeting for international cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region, he said. Forum organising committees and work committees were formed and duties assigned while sub-committees will also be formed, said the Vice President.

All must cooperate and work together to implement an allround management system for effective water resources and all are urged to cooperate and work together to protect, conserve and develop water resources in the country, he said. The Vice Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee later explained about completed work, future work programmes and the Ayeyawady River basin all-round management project.

Afterward, the committee secretary Director-General of the Department of Water Resources and Rivers Development U Tun Lwin Oo explained the work of the committee and future works.

National Water Resources Committee advisory group members then discussed and suggested how to determine potable water quality, draw up a national water law, and utilise above-ground and underground water for economic development.

Officials from ministerial departments, state and region governments and municipal committees who were attending the meeting explained water-related works and cooperation. Meeting attendees also suggested future work of the National Water Resources Committee.

Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar