2023-10-16 

Experts have called to draw wisdom from water heritages around the globe and adapt them to the world's present needs in tackling climate crisis, as they gathered in Beijing for the 3rd International Seminar on Water Culture on Saturday. 

Hosted by China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the event this year is themed Water in Civilization — Water Heritage for Today. 

"Drawing upon what we've gained before, I am glad to see we gather together again for the 3rd edition, to look back the trails of water in ancient civilizations as manifested in rich water heritage, and discuss how to better preserve and draw wisdom from the heritage, connecting the past, present and future," said Shahbaz Khan, director of UNESCO Office in Beijing. 

Varying in types and features, water heritage created all over the world is the cultural and ecological tapestry woven from the threads of time, embodying the ancient wisdom of our ancestors and the aspirations of the modern world, he said. 

"I hope today's discussions will bring our focus to balancing preserving our water cultural heritage and adapting to the ever-changing demands of modern environments sustainably," he said. 

Ludovic Andres, attache of technical cooperation, embassy of France in China, said the water heritage enables us to pass on a precious knowledge, and sometimes to reactivate certain skills developed by traditional societies that have disappeared or are on the verge of extinction. 

"It makes us aware of the effectiveness of those ancient or traditional techniques and allow us to rediscover and adapt them to the needs of the present," he said. 

Water itself has become heritage, a threatened element that we must protect, he stressed. 

"Indeed, our relationship with water, and with natural resources more generally, has been turned upside down by the climate crisis. For several years now, we've been experiencing an increasing number of droughts," he said. 

In this situation, taking a look at our water-related heritage, at the past achievements of human cultures in all parts of the world who have managed their water resources, is crucial in order to project ourselves into a future marked by more sustainable use of our water resources, he added. 

Li Jinxiu, vice-president of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, said the event this year featured lectures from five experts on water resources management in ancient Greece, Rome, India and China. 

She said she expected to see exchange and discussions in the event help promote high-quality development in China's water resources management and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Source: Chinadaily