Speakers at Dhaka Water Conference 2017 yesterday stressed the need for adopting an integrated water resources management system to attain sustainable economic development. The integrated system would ensure efficient use of water resources and protection of the environment and various ecosystems, they also said during technical sessions of the meet. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the two-day international conference at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka. Basin-wise water management, integrated water resources management and trans-boundary cooperation are needed for efficient use of water resources, the speakers said. Two technical sessions — Integrated water resources management and Protection and restoration of water related ecosystems — were held yesterday. Bangladesh, China, Japan, Philippines and Sri Lanka presented keynote papers at the sessions. The issues of making safe drinking water available at an affordable price, eradicating defecation in the open, involving local communities, preservation and revival of eco-systems were discussed at the sessions. Bangladesh made a presentation on how species of Hilsha fish were revived and Philippines showed how they managed 500 rivers through river basin approach. Eminent water expert Ainun Nishat, who chaired one of the sessions, said, These countries today presented integrated water resources management practices that they have [implemented] in their respective countries. We have to learn the best practices from these experiences. M Feroze Ahmed, former professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, in his keynote paper said, …Protection of eco-sensitive areas, revival of damaged ecology, and aligning of development activities can reduce ecological deterioration… Yue Zhongming, a water resources ministry official in China, explained how his country adopted an integrated water management system for fair water-sharing. WMRP Weerasinghe of Sri Lanka said achieving water sustainability will require education, awareness and commitment. Tomoyuki Okada of Japan shared how his country revived various fish species and ecosystems in a number of rivers and lakes.