Thailand hosts ASEAN+3 int'l conference on water demand management

BANGKOK, August 2 (TNA) - Thailand hosts an ASEAN+3 forum, the International Conference on Water Demand Management Among Competing Sectors, in Bangkok during August 2-4, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN. While inaugurating the three-day forum in the capital on Wednesday, former ASEAN Secretary Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, who is also a former Thai foreign minister, said that the conservation of natural resources and environment is significant for the region due to the limited amount of water resources amid increasing demand by all sectors. Dr. Surin declared that water issues have, thus, been included as the main agenda in ASEAN, in which leaders of the 10-member bloc and those of its three key dialogue partners of China, Japan and South Korea, work together to the practical management of regional water resources to prevent a competition for only own domestic demands. The former ASEAN chief suggested that the best way for the practical demand management of regional water resources is a shared consumption and cooperation on conserving regional water resources for mutual benefits in the long run of all countries. The former ASEAN chief pointed out that ASEAN has been successful in intra-regional and extra-regional cooperation for mutual benefits over the past 50 years, since ASEAN was incepted on August 8, 1967, especially in terms of trade. The ex-ASEAN chief cited Thailand as a good example that the regional cooperation has boosted trade volumes between Thailand and neighboring ASEAN member countries, namely Malaysia, Lao PDR and Myanmar, by 12-13 per cent. The former ASEAN chief and ex-Thai foreign minister proposed that Thailand now focuses on the development of innovations and technologies to achieve the Thailand 4.0 era as envisioned by the government and, most importantly, continues to follow and apply late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's principles to bridge disparity in the Thai society for the sake of sustainable national development and growth, as well as resilience against regional and global challenges. Meanwhile, participants in the International Conference on Water Demand Management Among Competing Sectors are discussing and exchanging information on water demands and practical management of water resources in major regional sectors, including those for public consumption, as well as for the agricultural and industrial sectors. (TNA)