Thailand and Australia co-organise
ASEAN Drought Workshop in Bangkok
17 August 2015
As part of ongoing water management cooperation, Thailand and Australia will co-organise an ASEAN Drought Workshop to be held in Bangkok from 18 to 20 August 2015. Thailand’s Department of Water Resources, Srinakharinwirot and Naresuan Universities have been working with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Australia’s eWater Solutions, to assemble drought experts from across ASEAN and other international organisations to share experiences and practice at the workshop which will help shape future policies on drought.
Like Thailand, Australia has severe droughts and floods. “Most recently Australia had a Big Dry from 2001 to 2009. We are pleased to have Dr Robert Carr, Chief Executive of Australia’s eWater Solutions at the workshop to share Australian water management expertise and his experience working in the Mekong region”, said Australian Ambassador to Thailand, HE Mr Paul Robilliard.
eWater Solutions is an Australian Government owned not-for-profit organisation which offers capacity building, modelling tools, technical support services and a community of practice to support integrated water resource management and water management governance.
“Water reform in Australia is driven first and foremost by the need to make the most of scarce water resources while living with an unpredictable climate” said Dr Carr, an expert in the field of simulation tools for integrated water management.
John Dore, Asia regional water resources specialist with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, explained that “drought management is just part of the larger Australian water reform story that we are currently sharing with Asia-Pacific neighbours, and others. Australia will continue exchanging experiences and looking for good ideas from anywhere in the world – including from our friends and neighbours in ASEAN”.