- Side-Events
On April 13, the Session “INR.3.4.AP SMART Implementation of IWRM / Future IWRM in Asia-Pacific -What we have achieved and outlook by focusing on river basin level” was held in GYEONGJU – HICO. It was a session jointly organized by the NARBO, GWPO, GWP China, GWP SEA, GWP SA and GWP CACENA. The session discussed three major water issues in Asia-Pacific region, including ‘Too much water (flood)’, ‘Too little water (Drought)’ and ‘Too dirty / polluted water (water pollution)’.
GWP China sent Prof. Guan Yiqing to present the case study of China at the session. In his presentation, he took Huai River as the case to introduce the challenges of IWRM in China, including, “the uneven distribution of water doesn’t accord with the economy”, “flood, drought and pollution worsen the utilization of water resources” and “conflicts between water supply and demand”. The corresponding water resources assessment and IWRM measures of Huai River were also given to the audiences.
On April 14, the Session “ INR.2.1.AP Water and food security in a changing world : regional perspectives / Successfully managing Asia’s transitions to achieve food and nutrition security for all and build vibrant rural communities in a water secure and prosperous Asia Pacific Region” was co-organized by FAO, ADB, ICIMOD, ICID, MANCID, GWPO, GWP China, GWP SEA, GWP SA and GWP CACENA in GYEONGJU – HICO. The session aimed at achieving food security and water security for all, facing two momentous transitions: one is a structural transformation of agriculture linked to economic growth; and another is a sustainable agriculture to reverse the unsustainable use and degradation of limited water and other natural resources threatened by climate change within a broader green development agenda.
GWP China sent Prof. Gao Zhaoyi at the session to present the food security and irrigation development in China. His speech covered the general introduction of water, land and population in China as well as the percentage of irrigated area in the world and China. After the introduction, he presented the main challenges and existing measures.
The following the event was on April 15, in Daegu, the Session “S.5.2 Role of STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) for ensuring ecosystem services”. Prof. Cong Zhentao, on behalf of GWP China, presented his conceptual and theoretical results and case studies at the session. He introduced the IWRM application in the municipality, Beijing city, in the flood season, and smart technologies of water management in Beijing as well.
- GWP Family Day in Korea
GWPO and GWP Regional Partnerships also had GWP reception events on April 14 and 15 in GYEONGJU. The reception gathered all GWP network partners in Korea during the WWF 7. Almost all regional partnership delegates of GWP represented at the events. All members of GWP China delegation attended the events and addressed to the reception to express gratitude to GWPO for coordinating the whole process of the WWF7 and also expectation to develop cooperation with other regions. In the working session with GWP SA, GWP SEA and GWP CACENA, Prof. Jiang Yunzhong, on behalf of GWP, delivered the further inter-regional cooperation suggestions to other delegates. First, the four regions were recommended to jointly organize annual inter-regional partnership event following the CP meeting; secondly, it was recommended to develop technical outcome report regarding the WACDEP with the contribution of four regions. The suggestions had common interests of other regions. They would be considered and discussed with GWPO and other regional partnerships in details later, said GWPO officers.
