Vietnam emphasizes multilateral cooperation for water security

Việt Nam nhấn mạnh hợp tác đa phương vì an ninh nguồn nước

Conference delegates take a group photo. (Photo: Chu Van)

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Secretary General of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam Ito Naoki and Mr. Jonathan Baker, Head of UNESCO Office in Hanoi. The conference gathered nearly 100 delegates and domestic and international experts from 17 IHP National Commissions in the Asia -Pacific region.

This is one of the important international cooperation conferences of UNESCO organized by Vietnam in 2025, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the IHP Programme and the 60th anniversary of UNESCO Water Science . The event marks decades of global commitment to promoting hydrological research and water management.

In his speech, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh emphasized the special significance of the event, affirming that water resources are essential for life and sustainable development, ensuring food, energy and environmental security, calling for enhanced international cooperation based on science and technology, expecting the conference results to bring about substantive discussions, shape strategies, and move towards a future of sustainable cooperation on water.

In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, Chairwoman of the Vietnam IHP National Committee, emphasized the urgent context when climate change is increasing hydrological hazards; affirming the importance of science, data and international cooperation in enhancing resilience and preparedness.

In her welcome speech, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van emphasized the topical significance of the Conference in the context of the world facing a “global development emergency”, especially clean water, calling for increased “level of cooperation and action” to respond to climate challenges in Asia- Pacific ; reaffirming Vietnam’s role as an “active and trustworthy partner” in contributing initiatives and hosting UNESCO events, in line with national aspirations in the era of “sustainable development and parallel science diplomacy”.

In her welcome video message, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito emphasized that wise water management is not only a scientific issue but also a “foundation for peace”, affirming the important cooperation of the Asia-Pacific region in the face of climate challenges, highly appreciating the role and contributions of Vietnam, reaffirming the desire to cooperate closely with Vietnam in its role as Chair of the Regional IHP Steering Committee, and thanking the host country and the Japanese government for their support and companionship in implementing the Water and Hydrology Science Program.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing innovative solutions, including disaster risk management, artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hydrological data analysis, high-resolution flood simulation for community-based management and sustainable water management in small island states.

The conference provides an important premise to align regional efforts with the UNESCO Strategic Plan IHP-IX (2022-2029) “Science for a Water-Secure World in a Changing Environment”. The conference outcomes will also contribute to upcoming major international events such as the 2026 United Nations Water Conference and the 11th World Water Forum (2027).

Previously, on October 21, the International Conference “Water Science and Management towards Sustainable Development in the context of Climate Change” and specialized technical sessions took place, discussing water security, disaster risk management, innovation in water use and application of artificial intelligence in hydrological data analysis.

On the sidelines of the event, delegates visited the science exhibition space, which displayed outstanding initiatives in water resource protection, including three projects by young Vietnamese scientists that won the UNESCO Water Challenge 2025.

The International Hydrological Programme (IHP), established in 1975, is the only intergovernmental programme of the United Nations focused on hydrological research, water resources management and education for sustainable development.

In Vietnam, the Vietnam IHP Committee (located at the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change) is the focal point, actively contributing to regional activities over the past 40 years (1985-2025).

In 2024, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of the Institute, was elected to hold the position of Chairwoman of the IHP Steering Committee for the Asia-Pacific region (2025-2027), becoming the first female Chairwoman in the 50-year history of the regional Steering Committee.

Some photos at the Conference: