ASIA Pacific Water Summit 2013
CHIANG MAI (AFP) - Fierce competition for water could trigger conflict unless nations cooperate to share the diminishing resource, leaders from Asia-Pacific nations warned on Monday.
Prime Minister Yingluck delivered her opening remarks at the Second Asia Pacific Water Summit attended by leaders of nine countries and senior officials in the northern province of Chiang Mai this morning.
She said that Asia as a region has more natural disasters than other regions, and no country can handle a major crisis alone, so Asia Pacific countries should work together with sustainable water management system approaches such as preventing human activities which destroy natural resources, improving human access to clean water sources, and preparing for natural disasters.
Ms Yingluck urged all countries in the region to reduce the destruction of environment and prevent deforestation, as well as set up a warning system to reduce loss.
Without a comprehensive water management system, a 'war on water' could erupt, she warned.
The Thai premier also referred to Thailand's devastating 2011 floods which adversely affected the country's economic growth, publicly giving thanks to all parties in the country which helped Thailand went through the crisis.
She said Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) was at 4.6 after the severe flooding and the government turned the crisis into an opportunity by investing Bt350 billion in water management projects.
She said that Asia as a region has more natural disasters than other regions, and no country can handle a major crisis alone, so Asia Pacific countries should work together with sustainable water management system approaches such as preventing human activities which destroy natural resources, improving human access to clean water sources, and preparing for natural disasters.
Ms Yingluck urged all countries in the region to reduce the destruction of environment and prevent deforestation, as well as set up a warning system to reduce loss.
Without a comprehensive water management system, a 'war on water' could erupt, she warned.
The Thai premier also referred to Thailand's devastating 2011 floods which adversely affected the country's economic growth, publicly giving thanks to all parties in the country which helped Thailand went through the crisis.
She said Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) was at 4.6 after the severe flooding and the government turned the crisis into an opportunity by investing Bt350 billion in water management projects.
From Central to South-east Asia, regional efforts to secure water have sparked tensions between neighbours reliant on rivers to sustain booming populations.
(From left) Georgia President Mikheil Saakachvili, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Fiji President Epeli Nailatikau and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pose for a photo at the 2nd Asia-Pacific water summit in Chiang Mai on Monday, May 20, 2013. Fierce competition for water could trigger conflict unless nations cooperate to share the diminishing resource, leaders from Asia-Pacific nations warned on Monday. -- PHOTO: AFP
Breakneck urbanisation, climate change and surging demand from agriculture have heaped pressure on scarce water supplies, while the majority of people in Asia-Pacific still lack access to safe water despite surging economic growth.
"There could be a fight over resources" unless countries agree to share water, Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said in an address to a regional water security forum in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.
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