Your Excellency Suwit Khunkitti,

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment,

Distinguished Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment,

Mr. Bakary Kante, Director of Environmental Law and Conventions,

UNEPExcellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,  

1.       I am very pleased to be here with you today at this gathering of Ministers and technical experts from all over the world on “Strengthening Transboundary Freshwater Governance -the Environmental Sustainability Challenge” here in Bangkok. I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you to Bangkok and to Thailand, and I am sure that you would enjoy the many attractions that we have to offer, as much as the gentle culture and warmth and friendliness of the Thai people.     

2.       I should begin by mentioning the importance of water resources to humanity, and I stress humanity, because water is indeed life—without water there is no life. It is the most valuable natural resource that drives economic development and sustainability. It is vital for food and energy production and to provide social and economic welfare and public health, as well as to ensure political stability.  Therefore, the management of water resources is of utmost importance, especially in a world where resources are dwindling and conflicts arise because of limited natural resources.  

3.       For many decades in Thailand, His Majesty the King has been very dedicated to issues concerning water, including its management, technology and irrigation. As an agricultural country, and a major rice producing country, water is indeed the lifeline of all Thais—be they  farmers or ordinary citizens. Thirty-three per cent of Thailand’s land area lie in the Mekong River Basin, one of the richest endowments of biodiversity in the world. The river basin itself is home to approximately 80 million people from 6 countries, which is estimated to increase to 100 million by 2025.  To nurture the ecosystem and eventually the quality of life in this transboundary river basin, there is a great need for us to put in place a system to manage water resources, environment, and socioeconomic development through widest participation of concerned stakeholders. This is by no means an easy task. Cooperation among river basin countries must take place to overcome existing and potential challenges and to bring about peace, prosperity and harmony between human and environment. Indeed, the theme of this year’s World Water Day captures it all ---“Transboundary Water Management : Shared water, shared opportunities”.   

4.        I was also pleased to learn that the Fifth World Water Forum recently held in Istanbul, Turkey, recommended key points in transboundary water management that this Ministerial Meeting will further explore. The forum recommended for adaptive strategies to equitably manage water resources, both surface and groundwater, in view of increased risks from climate change and the intensity and complexity of competition over water resources.  

5.       The forum also recommended that optimal utilisation and the effective protection of transboundary water resources are only possible if riparian states cooperate under the internationally agreed principles. Transboundary water resources present an opportunity for collaboration rather than a source of conflict and a constraint for development. Nevertheless, there is a wide diversity of political, social, economic, cultural and environmental challenges to confront, in addition to those arising from hydrological factors. Thus, in order to harness sustainable benefits of transboundary water resources for all riparian countries and to ensure hydro-solidarity, joint efforts need to be made. This would require the willingness to cooperate which can only come out through extensive dialogue, mutual trust and understanding among riparian states. 

6.       And there is still the need to improve the legal and institutional framework involved. These are some important points that may help countries achieve effective transboundary freshwater governance.  Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

7.       Many of you who have followed the policy implementations of this Government would be aware of the short-, medium- and long-term stimulus packages that the Government has begun implementing or have planned in face of the global economic crisis. The second stimulus package, in particular, focuses on long-term infrastructure development for the country, including on water management. As rivers flow across boundaries to serve as the resource used in these infrastructures, freshwater would have to be effectively managed. It is therefore important to maintain close cooperation.   

8.         As transboundary water management is an important agenda for the Thai Government, despite the difficulties faced, whether in domestic politics or the global economic crisis, water management will remain a top priority. Like other long-term stimulus packages of the Thai Government that I mentioned, water management would have to involve a continuous and sustainable plan. 

9.         In order to provide a solution to the competing uses of limited freshwater, an informed dialogue among all parties is needed. Win-win solutions for all riparian countries over uses of water for different purposes, including upstream-downstream flows, need to be addressed, especially water-related issues for human and environmental needs. I do believe that water policy and strategy has to be nationally oriented and linked to social and economic sectors, but at the same time be concerned about transboundary effects.   

10.       It is very significant that policy-makers make political decisions according to water policy and strategy on social and environmental trade-offs, which will be done effectively if the costs of such compromise are clearly defined. This is one of the topics that should be explored for better management of transboundary water governance. 

11.       Moreover, effectively sharing the benefits of water and overcoming conflicts of water uses remains a challenge. It requires support for institutional development through reforms such as decentralization, stakeholders participation, partnerships and coordination. Experiences can be shared between riparian countries and used towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, compromising the trade-offs between development and conservation. 

12.       Of course, we must not overlook the importance of innovation and research that is very critical for developing appropriate solutions. This particular issue could contribute to the greater institutional and human capacity, both within the water domain and related sectors.  

13.     My last point is on how to increase water resources efficiency. One vital measure is to rehabilitate water infrastructures periodically and check their conditions regularly.  Most developing countries, however, are facing a financial constraint that prevents them from adequately implementing this. In this case, local knowledge and appropriate technology may be considered to replace high cost technology for better water resources management. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

14.     This conference is a timely opportunity to identify priority actions and strengthen the environmental dimensions of transboundary freshwater governance and cooperative frameworks. I was informed that the recommendations given and discussions held during the earlier portion of this meeting on water resources management and the implications of climate change were fruitful. Many best practices have  indeed been shared.  

15.     I congratulate all participants for injecting the environmental issue into this forum. Your contributions will bring about concrete actions that will strengthen transboundary freshwater governance in an equitable and efficient way. 16.     Finally, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and heartfelt thanks to UNEP for its support, and to all participants for their contribution to the conference and to the recognition of the significance of transboundary freshwater governance.

Thank you.

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