Session on IWRM and Climate Change Adaptation was co-convened by GWP China, IWHR and Office of the National Water Resources of Thailand.
Prof. Yunzhong JIANG
The session was chaired by Prof Yunzhong JIANG, regional coordinator of GWP China and Dr. Somkiat Apipattanacis, Director of the Water Resources Technology and Innovation Center of Thailand. Dr. Jing PENG, IWHR Vice President and Dr. Somkiat Apipattanacis, Director of the Water Resources Technology and Innovation Center of Thailand, addressed the session. Over 100 participants from the six riparian countries and international organizations gathered physically or virtually.
Dr. Jiang PENG
In her opening remarks, Dr. PENG cited the internationally proven observation that climate change is dramatically affecting the water cycle, making droughts and floods more extreme and frequent. It is an imperative task for all human kind to address the stark water resources challenges brought by climate change. IWRM, as an important tool to implement the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), has been widely adopted by countries around the world. IWHR is willing to cooperate with Mekong countries and international organizations to improve IWRM and promote water security and development in the Lancang-Mekong region.
Dr. Somkiat Apipattanacis
Dr. Somkiat Apipattanacis pointed out that climate change has directly impacted the economic development and the ecological environment in the Lancang-Mekong countries. Integrating the policies of IWRM with those of climate change management has become a consensus. This forum provides an essential platform for six countries to enhance dialogue and cooperation on IWRM and climate change adaptation.
Presenters were from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam as well as the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Southeast Asia. They shared experiences and discussed options of policies, mechanisms, tools, technologies and platforms that integrate IWRM with climate change adaptation.