Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) members will gather at a conference in Ben Tre province from June 4-6 to discuss measures to intensify coordination in water resources management.

The annual event is initiated by the European Union and the seven members of the Danube-Mekong Cooperation Initiative, namely Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

This year’s event is expected to attract approximately 180 delegates from 53 ASEM members and regional and international organisations, including the Mekong River Commission, the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River, and the World Bank.

They will exchange opinions on water resources in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, share experience in ensuring water resources, food and energy security, and improving water management in urban areas.

They are also expected to make proposals on specific measures to increase the two continents’ contributions to building and implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda, including a global goal for water.

The conference will adopt a report on proposals to be submitted to the 12 th ASEAM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luxembourg in this November and the 11 th ASEM Summit in Mongolia in 2016.

Vietnam’s hosting of this ASEM conference aims to promote the country’s position in ASEM, contributing to the forum’s efforts to protect water resources.

VNA