Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh presents the proposal on draft revised Law on Water Resources on May 25. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The draft revised Law on Water Resourceswas submitted to legislators at the ongoing fifth session of the 15th National Assembly on May 25 afternoon.
Presenting the draft revised law on behalf of the Prime Minister,Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh said for over 10years of enforcement, the 2012 Law on Water Resources helped improve publicawareness and action on the protection and exploitation of water resources,which have been managed and used in a more effective and sustainable manner.
However, some of its regulations overlap other laws, thushampering implementation or causing wastefulness. There is also a lack of alegal framework for ensuring water security as well as detailed rules on waterdistribution and supervision of water resource exploitation.
Besides, the enforcement of relevant regulations in some placeshas not been strict enough. Financial mechanisms and tools for control andsupervision have not proved effective while cooperation mechanisms for dealingwith cross-border water issues are still incomprehensive, he pointed out.
Given this, the draft revised law is aimed at perfecting existingrules to create an all-around, consistent, and transparent legal corridor for the distribution of water resources. It also looksto guarantee national water security while preventing pollution, degradation and depletion of water sources.
The draft removes overlaps, clarifies responsibilities for managing water resources and exploitationfacilities, and also facilitates the application of digital technology to waterresources management, Khanh went on.
Delivering a verification report on the draft, Chairman of the NA Committee forScience, Technology, and Environment Le Quang Huy said the committee basicallyagreed on the need to issue the amended law.
He noted the drafting body had consulted international law andexperience in water resource management and also taken into account feedback fromthe parties concerned. The draft conforms with theConstitution, consistent with the legal system and international treaties ofwhich Vietnam is a member.
Theofficial asked for more detailed regulations on several issues, includingmanagement principles, mechanisms and conditions for the use of state budget to conduct water resources surveys, theresponsibility for updating and sharing information about water resources, andcoordination between the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and relatedministries in the field./.
Vietnam’s water demand is likely to reach about 122 billion cu.m each year from 2030, 1.5 times higher than the current amount, which means water shortage may become severe if the country fails to effectively manage the resources, said Deputy Director of the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) Nguyen Minh Khuyen.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Hoa Binh province, held a national-level ceremony in a hybrid format on March 23 in response to the World Water Day (March 22), the World Meteorological Day (March 23), and the Earth Hour 2023.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh suggested the Mekong River Commission (MRC) focus on practical measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of residents who live on the river’s water resources, while addressing a ministers’ meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on April 4.
About 1,100ha of farmland in the northern mountainous provinces face imminent risks of drought, according to the Department of Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh presents the proposal on draft revised Law on Water Resources on May 25. (Photo: VNA) 
