Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit kicks off in Thai North

CHIANG MAI, May 14 (TNA) - Thailand's northern resort Chiang Mai province hosts the 2nd UN-initiated Asia-Pacific Water Summit from May 14-20, during which Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra promises not to block demonstrations at the venue but to listen to demonstrators. People and students are visiting an exhibition on water, organized as part of the summit, presenting successful water-related projects of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and water management projects, worth over 300 billion baht, of the Thai government. The summit, held at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center, includes a senior officials’ meeting on May 19 and participating national leaders will then present their visions on water security and announce a joint declaration. Meanwhile, the Thai prime minister assured that her government will listen to demands from all concerned parties and will not block demonstrations at the venue of the water summit. However, the prime minister acknowledged that the water summit is a matter of the United Nations, with its comprehensive agenda covering water for agriculture and consumption, the production of drinkable water and technical cooperation, and that the topics concern all countries, with water management and flood prevention in Thailand being part of them. (TNA)