Vietnamese youth take action for the future of water

UNESCO Water Challenge 2025 Immersion Day created a space for connection, dialogue, and knowledge-sharing among young people, experts, development partners, and the public on water resource protection and sustainable development. The event was held under the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO, in collaboration with the Institute for Innovation and Development (IID) and the Viet Nam Youth Climate Action Network (YNet).

During the open session “Youth dialogue: From ideas to action,” the speakers discussed three topics: the role of innovation in protecting water resources; strengthening partnerships between youth and enterprises to address climate challenges; and mobilizing resources to transform youth initiatives into core elements of a sustainable development ecosystem.

The paradox of water in Viet Nam - Too much, too little, too polluted

Responding to the question “Is Viet Nam facing water scarcity?”, Tran Lan Huong, Head of Natural Sciences at UNESCO Viet Nam, cited World Bank reports which mention that Viet Nam’s water is caught in a paradox of “too much, too little, and too polluted.” Despite abundant rainfall and annual water volume, uneven spatial and seasonal distribution results in water shortages during the dry season and excess water during the rainy season. This imbalance creates water stress at multiple periods throughout the year.

Climate change further exacerbates the unpredictability of atmospheric pressure, rendering water issues even more complex. Extreme weather events have occurred with greater frequency and intensity. Several recent storms and floods reached near “once-in-1,000-year” levels, far exceeding the design benchmarks of many current infrastructure systems, which are based solely on the 100-year frequency, revealing insufficient resilience under extreme conditions.

Coastal communities, particularly in the Mekong Delta, are facing severe saltwater intrusion and sea-level rise, which are impacting livelihoods, agriculture, and freshwater access for millions of people. Another challenge is water pollution, fueled by socio-economic development, rapid urbanization, and industrial activities, resulting in declining water quality and growing risks to public health and ecosystems.

Empowering youth to safeguard water resources

These challenges require us to determine whether to allocate resources evenly or focus on specific issues, and then act accordingly. According to Tran Lan Huong, although the ISHP 2022 - 2029 outlines strategic priorities for the next eight years, none are ranked because they are all equally crucial. The concretization of each priority is implemented through practical activities, designed after consultation with the Government, ministries, and local agencies.

For example, both water resource challenges and youth empowerment have been included as priority areas. This approach not only reflects UNESCO’s support but also aims to enable young people to participate in community-driven solutions actively. These activities are coordinated with state management agencies, youth unions, and schools to raise awareness, encourage research and experimentation, and strengthen the youth's active role.

During the event, UNESCO announced the Top 3 winners of the UNESCO Water Challenge for Young Innovators 2025 under the theme “Innovate for water, act for the future.” Jonathan Baker hopes these innovative concepts will inspire youth to define their roles in the green transition while encouraging collaboration among young people, experts, and organizations focused on sustainability.

Teams presented their results, shared their development journeys and lessons learned, and received expert feedback from a jury of specialists in water resources, innovation, and sustainable development. At the same time, the “Sustainability for Future” exhibition introduced outstanding projects, including the Top 3, along with five other notable initiatives led by youth teams.

Top 3 initiatives of the UNESCO Water Challenge 2025:

1. GREEN WARRIORS (Hanoi University of Science and Technology): Applications of advanced membrane filtration technology to control and reduce Ammonium, Nitrate, and Nitrite in domestic water.

2. MD4ISLAND (Dalat University): An improved MD seawater filtration machine using superhydrophobic membrane technology to provide sustainable clean water for An Binh Island, Quang Ngai.

3. STARS WATER (Tra Vinh University): Eco-Park Wetlands - turning wastewater into resources through native plants and recycled materials.