This aerial photo shows a view of the Shenbi ancient battlefield site by the Yangtze River in Hejiang county of Luzhou city, southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2023. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

By Staff Reporters

Governments, international bodies and social and economic organizations should utilize their advantages and unite their wisdom and strength to cope with water disasters and other problems related to water resources, water ecology and water environment, Li Guoying, China’s minister of water resources, said at the 18th World Water Congress that opened in Beijing on September 11.

It was the first time for China to convene the event. The 18th Congress, themed "Water for All: Harmony between Humans and Nature," is a five-day event to promote balance between the water needs of humans and nature. A Beijing Declaration is expected to be issued by the 18th World Water Congress.

The participants included nearly 1,300 delegates from more than 60 countries and regions and over 30 international organizations.

The World Water Congress is one of the world's largest congresses linking water policymakers, researchers and policy practitioners. Since 1973, the International Water Resources Association has been holding the Congress every three years around the world.