Thailand, in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, will host the second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (2nd APWS) in conjunction with Technical Workshops and Exhibitionson 14-20 May 2013 in Chiang Mai.           

                To be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre Commemorating His Majesty’s 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, the 2nd APWS will consist of three components: 1) a Leaders’ Forum on 20 May, at which participating leaders will be invited to deliver statements addressing the theme “Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment”; 2) Focus Area Sessions (FASs) on 19 May, where representatives and experts from relevant organizations, and other stakeholders, will discuss issues of water security and water-related disaster challenges in the Asia-Pacific region; and 3) Technical workshops and exhibitions, 14-18 May, where participants will learn about technical and practical aspects of water management, including an exhibition on Royal Projects.

                The Summit will be an opportunity for regional leaders to exchange views and approaches to water-related crisis management, and will help reinforce disaster prevention and management mechanisms for flood and drought, providing a water-centric forum for leaders and senior officials to discuss regional cooperation in this issue. Thailand, on its part, will share the water-related royal initiatives of His Majesty the King and the country’s lessons learned from the flood of 2011.

                The Summit is expected to produce an outcome document that will synthesize regional leaders’ key messages representing their commitment to cooperation on water resources management, the sharing of best practices and technologies on water management for reducing disaster risk and impact, recognition of the importance of national and regional disaster management strategies in national economic and social development plans, and water management as a key factor in sustainable development.

                The Government of Thailand has invited 49 Asia-Pacific leaders, as well as ministers, delegates from international organizations and the private sector to the Summit and related events. At present, leaders from 8 countries as well as vice-presidents, deputy prime ministers, and ministers of several countries and the President of the 67th United Nations General Assembly have accepted the invitation.