(VOVworld) – 3,500 people attended a meeting in the northern mountain province of Lai Chau on Friday in response to World Water Day 2014 themed “Water and Energy”.

The meeting takes place in Lai Chau province. (Photo: monre.gov.vm)

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai urged localities to get involved more enthusiastically in protecting forests, the environment, and water resources and ensuring national energy security. He said: “I’d like to call on all of society to manage, exploit, and use water and energy sparingly and efficiently. A joint effort of authorities and ordinary citizens is needed for water protection and natural disaster mitigation, contributing to poverty reduction, social equality, and economic development.”

World Water Day this year will raise public awareness of the bond between water and energy and boost policy enforcement related to this bond. Managers, enterprises, scientists, and the community will have a chance to share their ideas for an integrated approach and cooperation among authorities to resolve water and energy issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai delivers his speech in the event. (Photo: monre.gov.vn)