First of all, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of ...

(Please check against delivery)Remarks byMr. Jatuporn BuruspatDirector-General, Department of Water ResourcesMinistry of Natural Resources and Environmentat the Briefing Session on the 2 nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit (2 nd APWS)Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, Thailand16 June 2011 at 11.00 am--------------------------------------------------------------------------Excellencies,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,First of all, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of youto the Briefing Session on the 2 nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit today.This session’s objectives are:firstly, to inform you of the arrangements for the Summit;secondly, to draw the right participants to the Summit;and thirdly, to ensure that most appropriate arrangements bemade for receiving participating Heads of Government and delegations.Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you brieflyabout the 2 nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit.Following the first Asia-Pacific Water Summit held in December2007 in Beppu, Japan, Thailand has the privilege of hosting the Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit to be held in Bangkok on the 5 th and 6 th of February2012 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.The Second Summit will continue with the main theme of “WaterSecurity: Leadership and Commitment”.In parallel with the Summit, The Government of Thailand by theDepartment of Water Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources andEnvironment will also organize the awareness raising and knowledge sharingactivities, during the 2 nd to the 6 th of February 2012, so called “Open Events” inthe same venue.1

(Please check against delivery)These events include technical sessions, exhibitions, and a shortdocumentary film about His Majesty the King of Thailand and his dedicatedwork on water resources.The Steering Committee for organizing the 2 nd Asia-Pacific WaterSummit and its related activities is chaired by the Minister of NaturalResources and Environment. There are four sub-committees, set up toformulate the work plans and guide a direction for the Summit preparation onthe substances of the Summit;protocol and facilitation;security measures and traffic arrangement;and public relations.Today Briefing Session has been organizedto provide comprehensive information to Your Excellencies anddistinguished guests.Within the next eight months, many details will be finalized. Wewould like to assure you that all concerned parties will receive our updates in atimely manner.My colleagues from the Department of Water Resources willpresent to you the relevant information and all about the preparation.First; Mister Chaiporn Siripornpibul, Deputy Director-General of theDepartment of Water Resources,and second; Miss Sukontha Aekaraj, Acting Director of the Bureauof International Cooperation.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask or give usany suggestions. We can assure you that we will do our best to hold a wellorganized2 nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Bangkok, THAILAND.Thank you for your kind cooperation.2