Synergizing policies, technologies to address challenges in water sector

From November 5-6, the 23rd Asia Water Council (AWC) Board Meeting and the AWC 2025 Technical Workshop were jointly organized by the Asia Water Council (AWC), the Vietnam Water Supply and Environment Association (VWEA), and the Northern Water Resources Planning and Investigation Federation (NVWATER), under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

A vision for water governance aligned with digital transformation

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh stated that the theme “Sustainable water governance, digital transformation, and investment cooperation for the future” reflects AWC’s strategic vision, consistent with the global trend toward green growth, digital transformation, and data-driven governance.

As a downstream country of many major river systems and one that is heavily affected by climate change and extreme weather events, Vietnam considers water resource governance a strategic priority. The Government of Vietnam has issued the National Water Resources Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision toward 2050, aiming to ensure water security, equity in access, and sustainable use of resources, as stipulated in Decision No. 1622/QĐ-TTg (2022).

Accordingly, Vietnam is actively cooperating with international partners in various basin management initiatives, contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on the science and technology revolution and Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration.

The event also launched the Hanoi Initiative - Action for Asia’s Water Security, focusing on three key areas: promoting data sharing, transboundary monitoring, and sustainable development planning; enhancing forecasting and disaster warning capabilities through the application of AI and digital technologies, and establishing a Regional Water Security Coordination Center within AWC; and strengthening policy cooperation and resource mobilization.

According to Nguyen Minh Khuyen, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s recent water resource management efforts have contributed to the regulation, allocation, protection, restoration, and sustainable development of water resources in response to climate change.

In recent years, the Department of Water Resources Management has monitored 100% of major reservoirs, published management scenarios for eight river basins, and operated a real-time management system to ensure water security. At the same time, the Department has been implementing national water resource governance on a digital technology platform using IoT, live data, and decision-support tools as the foundation for modernizing water resource management. Through this conference, Mr. Nguyen Minh Khuyen expressed his hope to collaborate with relevant agencies to develop comprehensive water security solutions, apply advanced science and technology, and raise Vietnam’s water security index to a higher level.

The need for cooperation to address climate change challenges

According to Mr. Seogdae Yun, Chairman of the Asia Water Council (AWC) and President & CEO of Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water), Vietnam’s role as host country demonstrates its strong commitment to promoting regional cooperation on water resources and to building collective water security across Asia.

He emphasized that this event provides an opportunity for governments, civil society, and the private sector to jointly shape the future of the water industry. "Climate change challenges transcend national borders, making the need for collaboration and the search for shared solutions more urgent than ever," Mr. Seogdae Yun added.

Vietnam’s water supply and drainage sector is undergoing a strong transformation toward modern, green, and sustainable management. According to Nguyen Ngoc Diep, Chairman of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, over the past decade, many urban areas have achieved 24-hour continuous water supply that meets national standards. Around 70% of urban households are now connected to drainage systems; 20% of wastewater is being treated, and more than 80 wastewater treatment projects are in operation. Mr. Diep affirmed that Vietnam has been actively promoting digital transformation by adopting GIS, SCADA, smart sensors, and real-time hydraulic modeling, aiming to reduce the national water loss rate to below 15% by 2025.

The conference also recorded numerous recommendations and initiatives on water resource governance, environmental protection, and green economic development. This provides Vietnam with opportunities to access international experience, smart technology solutions, and innovative approaches in the sustainable management, protection, and utilization of water resources.

Many Korean enterprises showcased their achievements in smart water management, organic sludge treatment, disaster and flood warning devices, ultra-precise flow meters, and wastewater-to-drinking-water technologies.