Water Security Critical for World Fastest-Growing Economy

Water tanks and pots are used to store water all over Myanmar. Credit: Sara Perria/IPSBy an IPS CorrespondentYANGON, Myanmar, May 24 2016 (IPS)Lack of water management and limited access to data risk hindering Myanmar’s economic growth, making water security a top priority of the new government.Climate change and increased urbanisation, along with earthquakes, cyclones, periodic flooding and major drought, require an urgent infrastructural upgrade if the country is to undergo a successful integration into the global economy after five decades of economic isolation under military rule.“Water resources are abundant in Myanmar. However, we need to manage it properly to get adequate and clean water,” said Yangon regional government chief minister U Phyo Min Thein, attending a high-level roundtable on water security organised by Stockholm-based facilitator Global Water Partnership on May 24 in Yangon.According to IMF data, Myanmar is the fastest growing economy in the world, following an easing of sanctions in 2011, when the military handed power to a semi-civilian reformist government.“Water security is a priority for the new government,” said Myanmar’s deputy minister of Transport and Communication U Kyaw Myo.The challenges inherited by the now de facto leader of the country Aung San Suu Kyi, however, are enormous. An expected industrial development and urbanisation boom are only going to make more urgent the need for efficient water management solutions in one o...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Advancing Deserts Aid Asia-Pacific Climate Change Democracy Development & Aid Economy & Trade Environment Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies Natural Resources Population Poverty & SDGs Water & Sanita Source Type: news