The Water Resources Forum was jointly organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and specifically hosted by the Ningxia Water Resources Department. The forum aims to take advantage of the Fifth China-Arab Expo, with the theme of “Digital Empowerment of Water Resources Conservation, Intensive and Safe Use”, to disseminate China’s water management concepts, promote international academic exchanges and cooperation in water-related fields, and to make the forum a platform to showcase the achievements of water conservation and digital water management, a showcase for China’s water resources for the “Belt and Road” countries and a brand of water events with significant international influence.

Despite the fact that this forum was the first time that a water resources forum was set up at the China-Arab Expo, there were many highlights below.

Meet the depth of water quality development requirements. The theme of this year’s Water Resources Forum is “Digital Empowerment of Water Resources Conservation, Intensive and Safe Use”, which not only implements the central water management idea of “water conservation first, spatial balance, systematic management and two-handed efforts”, but also digitally empowers water resources efficient management. Ningxia is a pioneering area for the ecological protection and quality development of the Yellow River Basin, and will effectively play its role as a “small province with a full range of elements”, committed to creating a “Ningxia programme” for the central government’s water management ideas and taking on the role of a “testing ground” for the modernisation and development of water resources. In particular, countries should explore and practice digitally driven water reform and innovation.

Promote international cooperation platforms for water resources. In recent years, the Ministry of Water Resources has attached great importance to international exchange and has established partnerships with water agencies in over 60 countries around the world. The forum has invited a full range of relevant water international cooperation units and water international organisations to attend, hoping to use the international platform of the China-Arab Expo to promote the practical experience and advanced technology concepts of Chinese water resources. The China Dam Engineering Society will introduce the “Internet + Dam Engineering Hospital” platform and promote China’s advanced technology and concepts in dam management to the world; The Centre for International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Water Resources will use the forum to introduce the Ministry of Water Resources’ “Belt and Road” talent training base.

Create a brand of important water events. The first is, with the theme of “water conservation, intensive and safe use of water resources”, China would promote the establishment of water cooperation mechanisms with the “Belt and Road” countries, explore forms of cooperation between countries, regions, organizations and enterprises, and create a platform for international exchange and cooperation. The second is to promote cooperation in water trade and economic development between China and the “Belt and Road” countries, encourage the transfer of advanced water technology and strengthen information exchange on water policy and innovation. The third is to promote practical cooperation in the field of water resources management, introduce China’s water management achievements to countries along the “Belt and Road”, export relevant standards, products and services, and strengthen water cooperation and information sharing between China and countries along the “Belt and Road”.

In addition, the forum has invited all-round relevant water international cooperation units and water international organisations to attend, hoping to use the Sino-Arab Expo as an international platform to vigorously promote the practical experience and advanced technology concepts of Chinese water resources. And several water international organisations have been invited, of which 5 organisations, including the World Sediment Association and the International Sea Buckthorn Association, have clearly indicated that they would participate in the forum online. The Ministry of Water Resources directly under the Ministry of Water Resources and the provincial water resources departments have all been invited. More than 10 water resources departments such as Guangdong and Sichuan and a number of provincial water resources societies have completed registration and 92 enterprises, organisations and administrative institutions have expressed their willingness to attend the Water Resources Forum through the Expo channel.

All in all, the establishment of this forum aims to promote China’s water experience, and try to cooperate with other countries, which finally reach to a greater world.

By Sherry Song Dhu