Asia-Pacific nations need cooperation to protect forest, water resources

March 19, 2024

PHNOM PENH – United we stand, divided we fall – it’s an old cliche, but when talking about access to fresh water in this Asia-Pacific region, it’s worth reminding ourselves how imperative it is to work together, within countries and across borders, to share and protect this precious resource.

Like water, our forests recognise no boundaries, but they are equally vulnerable and play such an important part in our region’s commonly shared ecosystem. They too need a united front to protect and restore our forests for the common good.

Taken together, water and forests are two of mother nature’s children.

This month, the world and our Asia-Pacific region observes two special days, back-to-back – International Day of Forests on March 21 and World Water Day on the 22nd.

While each day has its own theme, “Forests and Innovation” and “Water for Peace”, their natural bond is evident and essential. The latter reminds us that water can be a tool for peace, but unfair advantage by one country or community, or lack of access to water, can spark and intensify conflict and hostility. Likewise, neglect and over-exploitation of forests can lead to land disputes that can spill across borders, and impact communities, particularly those of indigenous peoples in our region.

This is why countries in Asia and the Pacific need to work together to protect and enhance our common forest and water resources for this generation and for those still to come.

From the perspective of forests and water’s link to agrifood systems in Asia and the Pacific – the systems that provide us with the nutrition we need each day to survive and thrive – the stakes are high.

In this region, water resources form the basis of agrarian prosperity and