“We believe that achieving sustainable water management requires collective efforts, and Vietnam is eager to both contribute our experience and learn from others,” said Linh at the event in Vientiane, Laos, as she reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitments to collaborate with ASEAN and MRC member states on these challenges.

Vietnam has been facing severe impacts from climate change, from drought and salinity intrusion in its southern Mekong Delta to the devastating floods and landslides of Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the country’s mainland in the last 70 years.

The number of people killed or reported missing in the storm and its aftermath topped 350, while the country has also estimated its economic losses of 1.6 billion USD.

“These more frequent extreme events underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts and sustainable investments to enhance regional resilience to disasters,” said Linh.

The Vietnamese representative also proposed key areas where sustainable investment can drive progress, including water security, disaster management and cooperation.

Recommendations include a multi-dimensional approach and guidelines for water security, the application of advanced technology, strengthening cooperation, preparedness and responses in the face of disasters and enhancing joint projects and governance frameworks in a regional context.

“We must pursue a multi-faceted approach that includes policy reforms, technological innovation and active community engagement,” said Linh.

Addressing the event in her opening remarks, Lao Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bounkham Vorachit said that the recent devastating flood in the Mekong region highlights the urgency of ongoing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience.

“To fully unlock the potential of the Mekong River and ASEAN, we must also enhance the region’s connectivity.

“A more connected Mekong means more opportunities for trade, energy sharing, disaster response and environmental protection — all of which are key to achieving long-term water security,” said the Lao minister, who is also serving as the chair of the MRC Council for 2024.

The Mekong River is the longest and largest in Southeast Asia and is vital to the economies of its surrounding residents.

According to the MRC, the river supports 51% of rice production, over 10% of energy generation, 50% of fisheries production and 35% of overall tourism, said the MRC Secretariat’s chief executive officer Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun.

“With joint investment in three areas, namely institutional linkages, disaster monitoring and management and joint projects, the region can be better connected, more resilient and more water secure,” he added.

Held for the second time following the first online dialogue during the COVID-19 pandemic, the second ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue presents a platform for water and environment ministers, senior government officials, experts and young people to discuss and reaffirm their commitment to tackling critical water security challenges in the Mekong region as well as ASEAN.

Key topics of the conversation also include investment, innovative governance, technology and partnership.

According to United Nations Water, which addresses water and sanitation issues globally, water security is defined as “the capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable water quality for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.”./.VNA