Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underlined that regional governments and administrative bodies need to restrict activities of environmental impacts along both sides of rivers and creeks.
Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the ceremony to mark World Water Day at MICC II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that although Myanmar does not have significant glaciers, the glaciers which originate on the Khakaborazi mountain range and Tibet Plateau partially supply water to the Ayeyawady River in Myanmar.
He recounted that experts estimated Kachin State would face a 2.5 degrees centigrade rise in 2100 due to global warming, indicating total loss of glaciers as a threat posed to Myanmar’s future freshwater sources.
He retold that Myanmar suffered impacts of climate change with flash floods in the monsoon of 2024, mostly in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Kachin State, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and Shan State.
As such, he continued that it is necessary to follow Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) adopted by the United Nations.
The Senior General added that a water resources exploration body was formed on 7 March 2022 to measure the current rate of water in the Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Sittoung and Thanlwin rivers and observe water courses and volume of water. Such a body submits reports on the progress of water resources to the Union government.
Currently, he noted that sandbanks in the Ayeyawady and Chindwin rivers become barriers in waterway transport. The conservation of river courses is in a critical state and needs to be addressed urgently.
He stressed that regional governments and administrative bodies need to restrict activities with environmental impacts along both sides of rivers and creeks.
The Senior General underscored that water management is important to ensure water security in the future by raising public awareness of good water management practices and good water utilization practices.
He highlighted that this year’s World Water Day theme, “Glaciers Preservation,” emphasizes the importance of ensuring long-term water abundance and reducing water-related natural disasters in Myanmar. To achieve this, it is necessary to collaborate among relevant departments and organizations, leverage advancing technologies, and engage public participation to maintain and conserve our water resources.
He instructed that efforts should be made to strategically manage and sustainably utilize existing freshwater resources. Universities and research centres have to continue studies and awareness initiatives that promote the water sector. To secure future water sufficiency for the nation, individuals have to enhance water management systems using advanced techniques and improve the sector through persistent efforts.
To support the country’s freshwater sources, the Senior General continued to say that it is necessary to take action to ensure the long-term sustainability of existing glaciers and ice-capped mountains. All citizens must work together in the water management sector to establish a systematic, equitable, and sustainable use of water resources, benefiting both present and future generations.
The Senior General presented first, second and third prizes to winners in the open article contest to mark World Water Day 2025.
Vice-Chairman of the National Water Resouces Committee Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo gave prizes to winners in the amateur-level article contest.
The Senior General and attendees watched a documentary video on World Water Day 2025.
The Senior General visited the photo gallery at relevant booths in honouring the World Water Day 2025.
Also, present at the ceremony were Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and deputy ministers together with chief ministers of regions and states through videoconferencing.
MNA/TTA
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