Maelanga Calls For Realistic Commitment to Disadvantaged Members At Water Summit
Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Maelanga has called on the Asia-Pacific Water Forum including
Leaders to be more pragmatic with its commitments through technology transfer, sharing of innovative best practices and
capacity development to its disadvantaged members while giving members a clearer and collective voice on the issue of
maintaining environmental water security for economic and food security in the international arena.
Mr Maelanga made the call during last week’s 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Chiang Mai City, Thailand.
Organized by the Royal Thai Government in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Water Forum and supporting regional and
international organizations, the Summit Leaders Forum was attended by Heads of States and Heads of Governments from 50
Asia and Pacific countries.
Top executives from countries, international and regional organizations was well as business executives in the private
sector in the Asia-Pacific region also attended this high level segment of the summit, which took place on the second
day of these two days meeting.
With the primary themes “water security and water related disaster challenges: leadership and commitment” the Summit was aimed at promoting active dialogues among regional leaders on water-related policies and commitments
and facilitating more effective regional cooperation in water security in Asia and the Pacific regions.
It was further anticipated that during the discussions the Asia-Pacific leaders, stakeholders from different sectors
dealing with various water related issues and challenges and concrete solutions to the issues.
The Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit through the Heads of State and Government have agreed and reiterated the importance
of water as an essential part of human life, human security, environment and economy.
This is contained in the Chiang Mai Declaration where important decisions made by the Heads of States and Governments in
the Asia-Pacific were officially communicated.
In adopting the Declaration, Deputy Prime Minister Maelanga stated that the Government of Solomon Islands attaches
considerable significance to providing a safe and secure environment for its people through specific priority areas,
namely economic security, environment security and food security.
Equally important, Mr Maelanga outlined some key challenges faced and being addressed by the Government of Solomon
Islands such as water supply improvement, climate change and environment management, and national disaster management.
Mr Maelanga was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Foreign Affairs and Office of the
Prime Minister. The first Asia-Pacific Water Summit was held in Beppu, Japan in 2007.
Hon. Manasseh Maelanga and his delegation has returned to the country last Friday.
ENDS