11th Congress of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply and Sewerage Branch Successfully Concluded

On 22 July 2022 in Da Nang City, the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply and Sewerage Branch formally held its 11th Congress for the 2022-2024 term.

The Congress was attended by Nguyen Ngoc Diep, President of the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA); Nguyen Van But, VWSA Vice President and Chairman of Phu Tho Water Supply Joint Stock Company; Dinh Chi Duc, VWSA Vice President and Chairman of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Water Supply Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Trong Hieu, VWSA Vice President and General Director of HAWACO Joint Stock Company; Truong Cong Nam, VWSA Vice President and Chairman of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply Branch; Tran Dang Quy, member of the VWSA Standing Committee, Chairman of the Northern Water Supply Branch and Chairman of Nam Dinh Water Supply Joint Stock Company; Tran Chien Cong, member of the VWSA Standing Committee, Chairman of the Southern Water Supply Branch and General Director of Binh Duong Water - Environment Joint Stock Company; Ho Huong, member of the VWSA Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Branch and Chairman of Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company; together with leaders of the Da Nang Department of Construction, representatives of 84 member organizations and reporters from central and local media agencies.

Overview of the Congress of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply and Sewerage Branch.

On behalf of the Congress Presidium, Truong Cong Nam delivered the opening remarks.

Ho Huong, on behalf of the Presidium, presented the Executive Committee's report reviewing the Branch's activities during the 10th term (2019-2021) and the direction and tasks for the 11th term (2022-2024).

According to the Executive Committee's report, the Branch began with 14 members when it was established in 1996. After more than 26 years of development, membership had grown to 84 organizations, including 26 water supply and sewerage companies in the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands region and 58 companies operating in equipment and material supply, consulting, construction and installation. During the previous term, the COVID-19 pandemic created significant difficulties for the production and business activities of member organizations, but operations were generally maintained and assigned tasks were completed. The Branch also organized a range of practical activities supporting training and experience sharing among members.

Priorities for the 2022-2024 term

Delegates agreed on a number of key tasks: ensuring safe water supply in terms of quality, volume and pressure; improving customer-service quality to meet rising expectations; strengthening the management and stable operation of stormwater drainage systems, wastewater collection systems and wastewater treatment; maintaining regulating reservoirs to ensure drainage and environmental quality; and developing information-technology and digital-transformation applications to improve operational and corporate-governance capacity.

During the 2022-2024 term, the Branch would also implement the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association's development strategy to 2022 with a vision to 2025; strengthen international cooperation in areas such as funding, technical expertise and partnerships; encourage member water utilities to implement safe-water-supply plans; expand the application of GIS and automation in water treatment plants, water-supply networks, drainage and wastewater treatment; work toward a common non-revenue-water (NRW) program for member utilities, including visits to organizations with strong NRW performance; ensure water quality in accordance with Ministry of Health standards; protect water resources; improve sludge treatment and environmental protection; coordinate with projects; and continue training to improve management capacity at water supply and sewerage companies.

In his address to the Congress, Nguyen Ngoc Diep, President of VWSA, recognized the solidarity, efforts and achievements of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Branch during the previous term, particularly under the difficult conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the Branch Executive Committee and its members had continued to work closely with VWSA in matters related to state management of the water supply and sewerage sector.

Delegates voted to approve the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply and Sewerage Branch for the 2022-2024 term.

Activities held alongside the Congress

As part of the Congress program, on 21 and 22 July 2022 in Da Nang, the Branch organized a workshop on digital transformation in business management and customer service, with active participation from professionals both within and outside the Branch.

The Organizing Committee also successfully held a meeting to establish a club for retired leaders of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands water sector, attended by 17 retired leaders from member organizations.

Speaking on behalf of the retired-leaders club, Ho But, former Director of Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company, said he was moved by the Branch's attention and invitation to attend the club's founding meeting, describing it as a valuable opportunity for retired professionals to share experience and provide advice to the next generation as they continue to manage and develop water-sector operations.

On this occasion, the Branch Executive Committee contributed VND 100 million to support the retired-leaders club and VND 50 million to Da Nang Hope Village.

Representatives of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Water Supply and Sewerage Branch presented VND 100 million in support of the retired-leaders club.

Representatives of VWSA and the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Branch presented VND 50 million to Da Nang Hope Village.

New Executive Committee elected

The 11th Congress elected a 39-member Executive Committee. Ho Huong, a member of the VWSA Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands Branch in the previous 2019-2021 term and Chairman of Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company, was elected Chairman of the Branch for the 2022-2024 term, together with nine Vice Chairmen.

Delegates took a commemorative photograph at the 11th Congress for the 2022-2024 term.

After two years of disruption caused by the pandemic, the Branch Executive Committee and Da Nang Water Supply Joint Stock Company, as the host organization, made substantial preparations to ensure the Congress and accompanying workshop were successfully held. The Branch expressed its hope that its future plans and practical actions would continue to connect member organizations, support meetings, exchange, learning and joint recommendations, and contribute to the further development of the water supply and sewerage sector in the Central Vietnam - Central Highlands region.

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”