UNESCO’s international hydrological program brings together the Asia-Pacific region in Myanmar to share water knowledge and enhance cooperation
From October 29 to November 1, the 27th meeting of the IHP Regional Steering Committee for South-East Asia and the Pacific is held in Naypyidaw (Myanmar). For the first time, a representative of the national committee of IHP of Kazakhstan will participate in the coordination meeting of the region.
Maintaining frequent contacts between countries of the region and conducting activities of the UNESCO International Hydrological Program at the regional level requires appropriate coordination mechanisms. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, regional cooperation is carried out through the IHP Regional Steering Committee, whose members are representatives of more than 20 IHP national committees. Since 1993, annual meetings have been held in various countries of the region to present reports, evaluate and analyze various events held under the IHP, as well as to develop new international events.
The representative of the IHP Kazakhstan National Committee and the head of the UNESCO Chair for Water Management in Central Asia, Barbara Janusz-Pavletta, will present at the regional committee meeting the activities of UNESCO Chair alongside with the unique Master's program «Integrated Water Resources Management» and the success of the first international Summer School in the Aral Sea. The experience of the School in the Aral Sea shows the need for a scientifically sound, interdisciplinary, socially inclusive, local knowledge-based, reliable and affordable knowledge management to manage both the quality and quantity of water. Presenting the experience of the Summer School at the international level is important not only to draw attention to the environmental problem of the Aral Sea but also to emphasize the importance of taking into account the problems of social transformations, social integration of youth and public access to water resources.
On October 31, a field trip to the Paung Laung Dam in Naypyidaw will be organized, which will allow participating delegates to familiarize themselves with the methods, procedures and equipment used to protect against natural disasters and disaster risk reduction.
In collaboration with UNESCO in Jakarta and participating Member States, RSC has coordinated a wide range of initiatives over a decade, including research, technical projects, seminars, training courses, and annual symposiums, bringing together a multitude of experts in water-related activities. The inclusion of Kazakhstan in these initiatives will contribute to the expansion of regional cooperation, lively interaction in the exchange of data, knowledge, and experience in key areas of water science and IWRM.
