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170135
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 06:36
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https://oananews.org//node/170135
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PM delivers message to mark World Water Day
VIENTIANE,MARCH 22 .(KPL) - Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong on Monday delivered a message to mark World Water Day 2011.
The slogan of this year’s event on March 22 is ‘Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge’.
According to Mr Thongsing, half of the world’s population now live and work in urban areas.
Rapid population growth and migration to urban centres for employment and economic opportunities has seen big cities around the world swell in size in recent times.
About 93 percent of the world’s urban expansion is occurring in undeveloped and developing countries, with 40 percent of urban residents in those countries dwelling in slums.
Between 1990 and 2001, the number of people living in slums around the globe increased by a rate of 18 million people per year.
It’s expected that figure will swell to 27 million people per year between 2005 and 2020.
While the size of slums continues to grow, infrastructure, clean water services and hygienic conditions are lacking in many urban areas.
The rate of land areas with access to clean water services has decreased. In order to solve this problem, clean water supplies and hygiene management in cities, including urban wastewater and rubbish disposal, needs to be better managed.
Urban development in Laos cannot be separated from the world’s development, according to Prime Minister Thongsing.
In Laos, the population of cities is expanding by about four percent per year and the total number of people living in cities is estimated at about 1.8 or 2 million.
In fact, the figures are possibly many times higher than this, especially in the big cities of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and the other big cities of Luang Prabang, Thakhek, Savannakhet and Pakxe.
These cities need to ensure basic supply services such as clean water and hygienic conditions are managed properly, noted Mr Thongsing.
At present the problems created by wastewater and garbage are increasing in the country. A case in point is the growing number of plastic bags scattered in the nation’s waterways and other places.
To help improve the quality of life for all people, activities to solve these problems and treat wastewater and improve rubbish disposal should be implemented.
Mr Thongsing said that about 30 percent of the population in Vientiane does not have access to the clean water supply network.
Disturbingly, a growing number of cities and large towns in provinces around the country are now encountering similar problems.
The slogan of ‘Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge’ is aimed at encouraging all people in society to become involved in protecting water resources, noted Mr Thongsing.
“Herewith, I am required, with the friendship of other countries and international organisations, to continue mobilising support funds for Laos’ work to improve access to clean water and hygienic conditions for people living in cities, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals.”
“Finally, I call on all Lao people around the country to work to develop the nation and ensure ours is a country that is green, clean and beautiful.”
The slogan of this year’s event on March 22 is ‘Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge’.
According to Mr Thongsing, half of the world’s population now live and work in urban areas.
Rapid population growth and migration to urban centres for employment and economic opportunities has seen big cities around the world swell in size in recent times.
About 93 percent of the world’s urban expansion is occurring in undeveloped and developing countries, with 40 percent of urban residents in those countries dwelling in slums.
Between 1990 and 2001, the number of people living in slums around the globe increased by a rate of 18 million people per year.
It’s expected that figure will swell to 27 million people per year between 2005 and 2020.
While the size of slums continues to grow, infrastructure, clean water services and hygienic conditions are lacking in many urban areas.
The rate of land areas with access to clean water services has decreased. In order to solve this problem, clean water supplies and hygiene management in cities, including urban wastewater and rubbish disposal, needs to be better managed.
Urban development in Laos cannot be separated from the world’s development, according to Prime Minister Thongsing.
In Laos, the population of cities is expanding by about four percent per year and the total number of people living in cities is estimated at about 1.8 or 2 million.
In fact, the figures are possibly many times higher than this, especially in the big cities of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and the other big cities of Luang Prabang, Thakhek, Savannakhet and Pakxe.
These cities need to ensure basic supply services such as clean water and hygienic conditions are managed properly, noted Mr Thongsing.
At present the problems created by wastewater and garbage are increasing in the country. A case in point is the growing number of plastic bags scattered in the nation’s waterways and other places.
To help improve the quality of life for all people, activities to solve these problems and treat wastewater and improve rubbish disposal should be implemented.
Mr Thongsing said that about 30 percent of the population in Vientiane does not have access to the clean water supply network.
Disturbingly, a growing number of cities and large towns in provinces around the country are now encountering similar problems.
The slogan of ‘Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge’ is aimed at encouraging all people in society to become involved in protecting water resources, noted Mr Thongsing.
“Herewith, I am required, with the friendship of other countries and international organisations, to continue mobilising support funds for Laos’ work to improve access to clean water and hygienic conditions for people living in cities, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals.”
“Finally, I call on all Lao people around the country to work to develop the nation and ensure ours is a country that is green, clean and beautiful.”
