Pakistan, China sign MoU on water, environmental protection

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation in the utilization and sustainable development of water resources and environmental protection.

The MOU covers wide areas of cooperation including water conservation, watershed planning, flood control and drought relief, development of water resources, management and operation of water projects, ecological protection along the rivers, protection of aquatic species, water channel construction, emerging water technology and development of recreational projects.

The MoU between Chang Jiang Water Resources Commission (CWRC) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was signed in a ceremony held at the Pakistani embassy in Beijing, said an official statement issued here.

Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moinul Haque and Vice Commissioner of CWRC, Wu Daoxi signed the agreement.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Moinul Haque said that the MOU will pave the way for bilateral cooperation in the utilization and sustainable development of water resources and environmental protection.

The MOU entails the spirit of the living Indus Initiative launched by the Government of Pakistan. He invited CWRC to jointly collaborate with WAPDA, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan in the initiative.

Ambassador Haque further acknowledged the contribution of the CWRC in the development of water resources in Pakistan over the years, particularly the support offered by CWRC during last year’s devastating floods in Pakistan.

Wu Daoxi in his speech introduced CWRC’s projects in Pakistan and expressed his desire to further enhance engagement with the Pakistani side.

He reiterated that the two sides should plan and execute joint projects under the agreement for practical cooperation in this regard.