The fifth Asia-Pacific Coastal Aquifer Management Meeting began in the central coastal city of Da Nang on July 17, drawing nearly 50 domestic and foreign scientists and managers.

Participants at the fifth Asia-Pacific Coastal Aquifer Management Meeting

The thee-day meeting allows participating scientists, managers and policy-makers to share results of their studies, discuss ideas to deal with the region’s priority issues related to water resources and saline intrusion and seek cooperation opportunities in coastal aquifer management.

The participants discussed issues related to coastal aquifers, stressing the need to intensify scientific research and application in water resources management to tackle challenges posed by climate change.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan said that global environmental agencies and organisations have paid much attention to groundwater management.

In Vietnam, groundwater is an essential resource for coastal residents’ daily activities and agricultural and industrial production, he said.

It is necessary to increase public awareness of water aquifers, especially in coastal areas, in the context of climate change, particularly sea-level rises, harming the natural conditions of coastal regions, Nhan added.

The research and management of aquifers is an important foundation to assess the potential of groundwater, which can be renewable if utilised properly.

VNA