Vietnam believes that close and effective cooperation among coastal countries is the only solution to dealing with challenges and preventing water resources conflicts, said Ambassador Pham Thi Kim Anh, deputy head of the Vietnam Mission to the United Nations.

At the event 

At a debate on water, peace and security recently held in New York, the US, Anh said climate change, pollution, degradation in water resources, unsustainable use and unreasonable allocation of water resources could pose risks to regional security. 

Anh urged concerned countries to consider building cooperation frameworks and a Code of Conduct on sustainable management and use of water resources, thus ensuring interests of upstream and downstream countries. 

Vietnam wishes that countries would share experience and strengthen financial and technical support while the United Nations Security Council would facilitate the implementation of the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. 

Representatives underlined the importance of trans-border cooperation as part of preventive diplomacy and paying attention to forecast, preparedness and response. 

They urged the UN to strengthen its role in achieving 17 sustainable development goals, especially ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water resources and improving hygiene for all citizens. 

They called for promoting water cooperation via multilateral mechanisms such as the UN Water and the Global High-Level Panel on Water and Peace, as well as respecting international law on water, including the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses.-VNA