PM:Thailand supports water security

BANGKOK, August 20 (TNA) - Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says that international cooperation on water security is essential and Thailand is ready to cooperate on the issue. Delivering a keynote speech at the High Level International Conference on Water Cooperation, organized by the United Nations in Tajikistan on Tuesday, Yingluck acknowledged that each country needs to balance its water management projects. Yingluck indicated that sub-regions also need to join forces in resource management and cooperation on water security should be an important agenda at the regional level. Yingluck referred to her government’12-billion US dollar-investment in comprehensive water management, aimed at rehabilitating balanced ecosystems and directing flows of water to feed local industries and agriculture simultaneously. The Thai prime minister said that reforestation is important and is to be taken place not only in water catchment areas on mountains, but also in downstream areas to prevent soil erosion and cushion impacts of storms, and that trees are the best solution to protect river banks. Premier Yingluck confirmed Thailand’s support for the Integrated Water and Related Resources Management-based Basin Development Strategy of the Mekong River Commission. The Thai prime minister called for international cooperation on water management between the Mekong River Commission and similar organizations worldwide and for actions to conserve water for the sake of public interest, not for political gains. (TNA)