On April 8, 2019, Carlos A. Vargas, Executive Vice President of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the 38th IAHR World Congress , visited IWHR in a bid to enhance bilateral cooperation and encourage wider participation to the 38th IAHR World Congress to be held in Panama City in the coming September. Mr. Vargas was warmly received by IWHR President Dr. KUANG Shangfu, Vice President WANG Jianhua and heads of related divisions and research departments as well as IAHR Secretariat (Beijing Office).
Dr. Kuang reviewed the frequent high-level exchanges and communication in various sectors between China and Panama since June, 2017, when the two countries established diplomatic relations. He pointed out that Panama was the first among Latin American and Caribbean countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, and the China-Panama cooperation enjoys huge potentials and a bright prospect. Dr. Kuang also briefed on the important role played by IWHR during the development of hydropower projects in Panama in hope of deepening and expanding future cooperation. Moreover, IWHR, as the host of the IAHR Secretariat, has been and will continue to provide full support for the upcoming Congress and will mobilize Chinese experts for a wide participation in the event.
Mr. Vargas thanked IWHR for its hospitality, and applauded the institute’s contribution to the preparation of the Congress. He proudly addressed the attendees on Panama’s successful management of the Panama Canal, one of the busiest canals in the world and expected to communicate with China on the expertise and experience of water governance in order to improve the integrated water resources management, river basin conservation and inter-basin water resource regulation of the Panama Canal.
Mr. Vargas later gave an invited lecture at the Global Vision Forum, a serial lecture platform of IWHR. Mr. Vargas introduced the management experience of the Canal, including its construction, expansion, operation, management and development, vividly depicturing the important position of Panama Canal in world navigation and trade system, demonstrating the pursuit of Panama to achieve the comprehensive benefit of the Canal in not only shipping, but also water supply, flood control and power generation and environmental protection, etc. Spectacular videos and detailed statistics, as part of the lecture, depicted the efficiency and bustling scene of the “World’s Golden Waterway”. Experts at the forum discussed with Mr. Vargas on such issues as coordinating stakeholders’ interests during the expansion of the canal, ensuring maritime shipping in case of water shortage and water demand management after the canal expansion.
