Mekong countries must improve data sharing policies and mechanisms, as they are crucial for transboundary water management and sustainable development in the region, according to a senior Mekong researcher, SEI’s Thanapon Piman.
Speaking at a side event of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday, the Water Cluster Lead of the Stockholm Environment Institute, Dr Thanapon Piman acknowledged progress in regional data-sharing initiatives, but emphasized that there is still more to be done to have the perfect system.
“It is not yet perfect, but there is a lot of progress over the past years,” said Dr Thanapon, who served as one of the panelists at the Enhancing Transboundary Water Management and SDG session, a side event of the World Water Forum in Bali.
Several thousand policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives gathered in Bali this week to discuss water security amid the growing demand for water for drinking, industrial, and agricultural development.
According to Dr. Thanapon, enhancing transboundary water management and sustainable development in the Mekong region cannot be realized without data sharing.
Enhancing transboundary water management and sustainable development in the Mekong Region cannot be realized without data sharing. Relevant sectors can communicate available data to communities, thanks to advancements in AI and communication technology.
Thanapon Piman, SEI Senior Research Fellow
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