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| K-water CEO Choi Gye-woon, second from left, speaks about the importance of the freshwater resource in Asia at the 2nd Asian Water High Level Round Table held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Ministers from Asian countries in charge of the freshwater as well as experts from international organizations discussed how to tackle water scarcity. / Courtesy of K-water |
By Yoon Ja-young
With concerns over future shortages of freshwater, ministers and water experts from Asia gathered in Korea to discuss how to tackle the situation.
When it comes to water, nobody can say they are 100 percent safe ― while the demand for freshwater is increasing, the supply is becoming uncertain. According to a projection by the United Nations, half of the countries around the world will face a water scarcity by 2025.
The problem is especially acute in Asia, which is facing a rapid increase of population and urbanization.
With climate change expected to worsen the situation, experts warn that shortages of freshwater could lead to diverse problems such as impaired food production, insecurity of livelihood, migration within and across borders, and economic and geopolitical tensions.
K-water thus hosted the 2nd Asian Water High Level Round Table in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Monday, inviting representatives responsible for regional water related issues.
At the event were ministers and vice ministers from Thailand, Nepal, Mongolia, Vietnam and Uzbekistan as well as experts from international organizations such as the ADB and UNESCO.
They exchanged their ideas and experiences on how they are practicing freshwater policies, ranging from supply and hygiene to facilities for water resources and financing. They aim at finding more realistic solutions for water-related issues and setting up a system for cooperation.
Myanmar, for instance, has numerous rivers and streams, but it still lacks water for drinking or agriculture. The country requested financial and technological support from K-water and international organizations, and K-water is currently setting a master plan on how to develop the water resources of Ayeyarwady River.
Mongolia, whose land is mostly desert and two thirds of the water resource flow out to neighboring countries, also sees the stable supply of freshwater as the most pending issue. K-water and the ADB are currently discussing setting up an information system on water resources.
"Based on our experience and technology in water resource management, we will lead the efforts to tackle the water shortage problem in Asia," said K-water CEO Choi Gye-woon.
"To continuously tackle the issue, we will hold the 3rd Asian high level meeting during the 7th World Water Forum to be held in Daegu next year. We will issue a report on how the region is managing freshwater," he said.
The 1st round table was held in Singapore on June 4, setting up a network among Asian ministers to cooperate in water resource development and management.
