'Pol. Gen. Patcharawat' assigned advisors to open the 2nd International Groundwater Academic Conference, joining forces with international groundwater scholars to cope with climate change. Reporters reported that from the news that Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan, Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, has dropped out of the new Cabinet, it appears that today's event (19 August) has assigned Mr. Komen Teegthananon, Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, to chair the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment meeting, where the Department of Groundwater Resources organizes the 2nd International Groundwater Symposium on "Strengthening Groundwater Sustainability under Climate Change" (The 2nd Thailand Groundwater Symposium: Strengthening Groundwater Sustainability under Climate Change), held from 19 - 21 August 2024. Mr. Komen said that groundwater is a natural resource with potential to cope with the challenge of clima te change because the amount of groundwater worldwide is more than 30 times that of surface water. It can be developed and utilized to meet the needs of the people and all sectors. The Ministry, through the Department of Groundwater Resources, has initiated various projects to provide groundwater sources for the public, agricultural and industrial sectors so that they can access water sources with quality and sufficient quantity to meet their needs, as well as supporting the exchange of knowledge on groundwater from experts both domestically and internationally to lead to sustainable groundwater management. Dr. Oranuch Lorphensri, Director-General of the Department of Groundwater Resources, said that the objective of the International Groundwater Conference is to be a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, research results, innovations and technologies related to groundwater both nationally and internationally. The aim is to enhance knowledge and understanding about the important role of groundwater on the environment, economy and society. The event was honored by researchers, experts and experts from both domestic and international countries, more than 17 countries, and field study visits on groundwater development in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. The presentations were held to share knowledge and experiences on important topics, including innovations in groundwater science and technology, groundwater security and sustainability, and groundwater governance, management, and policy. The presentations were attended by world-class experts, such as Mr. Péter Kovács, Water Director from Hungary, Mr. Torben Bach from Denmark, and Dr. Peter Dillon, an expert on water replenishment from Australia, as well as representatives from world agencies, such as the United States Geological Survey, British Geological Survey and Environment Agency from the United Kingdom, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Flinders University, Commonwealth of Australia. In addition, there were domestic experts, s uch as Dr. Tassanee Nettat, an expert on hydrogeology from the Department of Groundwater Resources, Associate Professor Dr. Sucharit Koonthanakuwong, a lecturer at the Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and Assistant Professor Dr. Poyom Saraphirom, a lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, who shared their knowledge and experiences in groundwater resource management. Those interested in academic work on groundwater can follow the live video broadcast via the Facebook page of the Department of Groundwater Resources at https://www.facebook.com/Groundwaterthailand.- Source: Thai News Agency