A delegation led by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu participated in the 13th Governing Board Meeting of the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM) under the auspices of UNESCO on 23rd February 2023 in Tehran. The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Aliakber Mahrabian. Ministers, deputies and high ranking officials from 15 member states including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, 08 international organizations including UNRC, FAO, UNDP, UNHCR and UNESCO as well as heads of several regional development institutes and senior officials of the Iran government attended the event.
In his statement, Ambassador Wishwanath Aponsu highlighted the importance of sustainable urban water management and protection of available water resources in the member countries. While making general remarks on activities and achievements from 2021 to 2023 and on the proposed RCUWM Work Plan for the year 2023, he stated that the Embassy of Sri Lanka based in Tehran will extend its fullest cooperation for Sri Lanka’s active representation as a Governing Board Member to the RCUWM, in consultation with the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka. The ambassador also appreciated the excellent arrangements put in place by the Government of Iran for the meeting and the warm hospitality accorded to the attendees.
Representatives of other Governing Board member countries made their statements and intervened especially during the discussion on the proposed RCUWM Work Plan of 2023 with their national positions. Transferring experiences and technical knowledge; developing a cooperative mechanism; new technologies in water management, wastewater treatment and recycling; improving the skills of specialists and technicians; improving water quality and developing standards for water sector; capacity building among members; climate change affects to urban water management and solutions; sharing best practices were among the key subjects discussed at the RCUWM Governing Board Meeting.
During the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Wishwanath Aponsu had bilateral meetings with the Chairman of RCUWM Aliakber Mahrabian and the Head of Centre Mohammad Hajrasouliha to discuss future cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the RCUWM. The Sri Lanka delegation also visited the Water Industry Exhibition and took a technical tour of the Tehran Metropolitan Sewerage Project.
Regional Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM) was established under the support of the UNESCO in 2002 in Tehran. The Centre, consisting of 18 Member States, contributes to water-related projects of UNESCO Strategic Programme by capacity building and knowledge sharing researches at a regional level. The Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure of Sri Lanka which is the relevant line ministry contributed to the active participation of the Sri Lanka delegation in the discussions.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tehran
27 February 2023
