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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ‘TRANSBOUNDARY WATER ISSUES: SOUTH ASIAN COOPERATION’ organized by IFC on 9-10 August 2006 in Dhaka, Bangladesh

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Manna Bhuiyan speaking at the International Conference on Transboundary water issues: South Asian Cooperation

Minister for Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said that the River-linking Project, Tipaimukh Dam and Gajaldoba Dam project of neighboring India are threatening the ecology of entire Bangladesh. The two-day international conference on Trans-boundary Water Issues: South Asian Cooperation ended on 9 August 2006 in the city, calling for formation of three regional river commissions each one for the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna basins comprising the co-riparian countries.

In a nine-point recommendations adopted by the conference said Bangladesh, United Nations (UN) and concerned authorities should take initiatives in this regard for judicious use of management of water resources of the region taking into consideration the water needs of every country’s biodiversity and preservation of the ecosystems under the guideline of the UN.

”These regional river commissions will be responsible to monitor equitable sharing of river water amongst the river basin countries, protect environment, eradicate poverty of the people of the region, enhance the living standard and protect the rights of people; the rights of the deprived women and children and existing natural species,” the recommendation said.

The two-day international conference, organized by International Farakka Committee began on Wednesday at LGED Bhaban, urged the countries of the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna basins to engage in meaningful multilateral dialogues leading to the formation of three river commissions to solve the water problems in the region. Prof. M Maniruzzaman Mia presented the keynote paper. Mr. Roy Laifungbam and Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma of India, Prabin Man Singh of Nepal presented their country papers separately.

Engr. Dr. S.I. Khan, Senior Vice President of IFC Bangladesh Chapter and Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, Chief of Gono Shasthaya Kendra presided over the sessions.
Among others, Prof Khalilur Rahman, Vice Chancellor of Maulana Bhashani University of Science and Technology, Prof KYB Sajjadur Rashid, Prof J. U. Ahmed, President of IFC Bangladesh, Syed Irfanul Bari, General Secretary of IFC Bangladesh, Engr Helal Uddin of Angikar Bangladesh and Syed Tipu Sultan, Secretary General of IFC addressed the sessions.

Earlier, two working sessions on “Towards a solution of water problems of South Asia” and “People’s Right to Water” were held on the second day of the conference, participating form India, Nepal, Japan, US and Bangladesh delegates, Eminent water expert Engr. Quarmrul Islam Siddique, Chairman Bangladesh Water Partnership, and writer Farhad Mazhar, Dr. Zafarullah Chowdhury, Prof. L.R. Khan Vice Chancellor of BBSMR Agriculture University, played vital roles in the conference.