These issues were discussed at the international workshop “Cooperation Strategies to Promote Smart Water Management,” held as part of Vietwater, which took place in Ho Chi Minh City in early November. National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Quang Huan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Halcom Vietnam, shared his insights at the forum alongside leading water-sector experts from across the region.

The roundtable brought together leaders from water associations across ASEAN countries to discuss cooperation strategies for strengthening water security and addressing water shortages in Southeast Asia. The event provided a platform for sharing best practices and valuable experience, while addressing regional challenges and critical issues such as aging infrastructure and policy gaps.

Speakers at the workshop “Cooperation Strategies to Promote Smart Water Management”

Emphasizing practical solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roundtable provided insights and recommendations for submission to relevant authorities to support policy improvements and more sustainable development. The discussion aimed to strengthen water management and the region’s resilience in the face of growing water demand and changing environmental conditions. The event was moderated by Mr. Abdul Hadi Ali, former Chief Executive Officer of Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), Malaysia, and Secretary-General of the Malaysian Water Association.

Speaking at the roundtable, National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Quang Huan said that Vietnam, as well as other countries in the region, is facing growing water pollution. This is also an issue that the National Assembly consistently pays close attention to at each session.

“Thirty years ago, Vietnam’s water sector was still underdeveloped, and many people did not have sufficient access to clean water, particularly in rural areas. However, with support from a number of countries through bilateral and multilateral assistance, along with the involvement of various organizations and businesses, the situation has improved significantly. Today, around 95% of the urban population has access to piped water, while 70–80% of the rural population has access to clean water. Although the quality does not yet meet the same standards as urban water supplies, it represents a major improvement for rural communities,” National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Quang Huan said.

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Quang Huan sharing his views at the workshop

According to Mr. Huan, water services and piped water supply continue to face numerous challenges from the impacts of chemicals and wastewater discharged by industrial parks and factories. This is a major challenge that requires the development of new treatment technologies. Therefore, countries in the region need to work together and seek international partners to adopt advanced technologies, integrate AI, and develop various measures to reduce water pollution. Mr. Huan emphasized that the most fundamental solution remains addressing water sanitation and source protection. He also expressed his hope for stronger cooperation from the private sector and foreign water-sector enterprises across Southeast Asia.

In Malaysia, the situation has many similarities with Vietnam. In 2008, the country established a Water Commission, enacted a new water law, and set up a water asset management company to finance water projects. Since 2010, Malaysia has completed and implemented the entire process, marking a new step forward in improving water security for its people.

Mr. Lim Minh, Executive Director of the Cambodian Water Supply Association, said that three to four ministries and agencies in Cambodia are jointly involved in the water sector. These ministries and agencies share challenges facing the sector, exchange views, and coordinate their efforts to address common issues in water management.

“Over the past five years, we have witnessed the adverse impacts of climate change. Cambodia is a country with abundant water resources. The challenge is how to store water during the rainy season, manage flooding, and regulate water supplies during the dry season. These are the issues we have been focusing on discussing and finding solutions to,” Mr. Lim Minh said.

Speaking further about the legislative mechanisms to promote cooperation in water resource management, Mr. Nguyen Quang Huan said that the National Assembly is currently meeting and discussing the Law on Public-Private Partnerships, the Law on Public Investment, and several other related laws. Some laws need to be amended to achieve the desired objectives. These laws may conflict with one another in certain areas, so they need to be reviewed and adjusted to ensure that they complement rather than contradict each other, thereby ensuring that participating partners do not face any bottlenecks.

“The reason the Vietnamese Government is paying attention to public-private partnerships is that private-sector participation has remained relatively limited in recent years. Water supply is now sufficient to meet people’s basic needs, but wastewater treatment remains a major challenge and requires more effective mechanisms. We are receiving support from the private sector not only in terms of financing, but also in technology and management. Hopefully, the current legal reforms will help attract greater private-sector participation and contribute to changing the landscape of Vietnam’s water sector in the coming years,” Mr. Huan emphasized.

Speakers, who are leading water-sector experts from across Southeast Asia, at the workshop