4th International River Summit: “Raising Awareness, Commitment and Resources for the Rivers”
The 4th International River Summit with the theme “Raising Awareness, Commitment and Resources for the Rivers” was held on November 22 to 24 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.
The Mandaue City government, League of Cities of the Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Province of Cebu In partnership with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Central Cebu River Basins Management Council and University of San Carlos hosted the 4th International River Summit .
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment was the guest of honor in the 4th International River Summit and DENR Secretary Roy. A. Cimatu was invited as the keynote speaker for the summit along with local speakers such as government officials, representatives from private sectors in the country.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Philippines, Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev was also present in the summit and shared his insights on the experience on managing water resources in Russia.
Other international speakers from The Netherlands, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Bangladesh, United States of America, India, Japan, Russia, and London were also present in the event.
The 4th International River Summit focused on the rehabilitation of the Butuanon River in Mandaue City.
The Philippine River Ecosystem Network was also launched in the summit which aims to strengthen the collaboration among stakeholders to harmonize programs, plans and project on river development and management.
Thematic sessions included science, research and technology, evidence-based solutions that address degradation, heritage and culture, plastic pollution in rivers, watershed and river ecosystem, integrated water resources management, local river governance, river ecosystem rehabilitation, infrastructure development, CSO Coalitions on PES, water security and the Butuanon River Rehabilitation as few of the activities in the three-day summit.
