Vietnam emphasizes multilateral cooperation for water security: Conference
WVR - On October 22, the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change – Vietnam's International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Committee, in collaboration with the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Office in Hanoi, organized the 32nd Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Conference of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) for Asia and the Pacific.
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| Delegates at the Conference pose for 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, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki, and Mr. Jonathan Baker, Head of the UNESCO Office in Hanoi. The conference gathered nearly 100 delegates and experts from 17 national IHP committees in the Asia-Pacific region.
This is one of UNESCO's significant international cooperation conferences organized by Vietnam in 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of the IHP and the 60th anniversary of UNESCO's Water Science. The event highlights decades of global commitment to advancing hydrological research and water management.
In his directive speech, Deputy Minister 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. He called for enhanced international cooperation based on science and technology, hoping the conference would yield substantial discussions and shape strategies for a sustainable water cooperation future.
In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, and Chair of the Vietnam IHP National Committee, highlighted the urgent context as climate change exacerbates hydrological hazards. She affirmed the importance of science, data, and international cooperation in enhancing resilience and preparedness.
In her welcoming speech, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van emphasized the timely significance of the conference as the world faces a “global development emergency”, particularly regarding clean water. She called for increased “levels of cooperation and action” to address climate challenges in the Asia-Pacific, reaffirming Vietnam's role as a “positive and reliable partner” in contributing initiatives and hosting UNESCO events, aligning with the national aspiration for “sustainable development and scientific diplomacy”.
In a video message, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito stressed that wise water management is not only a scientific issue but also “a foundation for peace”. She affirmed the crucial cooperation of the Asia-Pacific region in facing climate challenges, praised Vietnam's role and contributions, and reiterated the desire to work closely with Vietnam in its role as Chair of the regional IHP Steering Committee. She thanked the host country and the Japanese government for their support and collaboration in implementing the water and hydrological science program.
At the conference, delegates focused on discussing innovative solutions, including disaster risk management, AI-driven hydrological data analysis, high-resolution flood simulation for community-based management, and sustainable water management in small island nations.
The conference lays an important foundation for aligning regional efforts with the UNESCO IHP-IX Strategic Plan (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 UN Water Conference 2026 and the 11th World Water Forum (2027).
Previously, on October 21, the international workshop “Science and Water Management Towards Sustainable Development in the Context of Climate Change” and specialized technical sessions took place, discussing water security, disaster risk management, innovations in water use, and AI applications in hydrological data analysis.
On the sidelines of the event, delegates visited a scientific exhibition space showcasing outstanding initiatives in water resource protection, including three projects by young Vietnamese scientists awarded the UNESCO Water Challenge 2025.
| The International Hydrological Programme (IHP), established in 1975, is the only inter-governmental program of the United Nations focusing on hydrological research, water resource management, and education for sustainable development. In Vietnam, the Vietnam IHP Committee (based at the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change) has been a key player, actively contributing to regional activities for 40 years (1985-2025). In 2024, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director, was elected as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional IHP Steering Committee (2025-2027), becoming the first female Chair in the 50-year history of the regional steering committee. |
Some images from the Conference:
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| Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van delivers a welcoming speech. (Photo: Chu Van) |
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| The 32nd Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Conference of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) for Asia and the Pacific. (Photo: Chu Van) |
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| Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van poses for a commemorative photo with some domestic and international delegates. (Photo: Chu Van) |
