Addressingthe meeting, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and EnvironmentNguyen Thai Lai stressed the importance of water, saying Vietnam was nota rich country in terms of water and faces future water shortages.
Vietnam is home to about 755 urban areas with a population ofnearly 26 million, accounting for 30 percent of the country’spopulation. Water supply for cities nationwide, including water forproduction, business and services, is estimated at about 8 million cu.m.a day.
After the meeting, the ministry and the Ninh Thuanprovincial People’s Committee organised a march to call on all walks oflife to respond to World Water Day 2011.
World Water Day 2011focuses international attention on the impact of rapid urban populationgrowth, industrialisation and uncertainties caused by climate change,conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
Through the event, governments, organisations, communities andindividuals are encouraged to actively engage in addressing thedifficulties of urban water management./.