PARIS -- A senior UN official said that while there are many problems with the management of global water resources, they are not insurmountable and China can act as a role model in the field.

Olcay Unver, coordinator of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s world water assessment program, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that there are great challenges concerning global water resources, including mismanagement and no access to clean water.

He said immediate action must be taken to address the problems, including increased infrastructure investment.

As one of the authors of the World Water Development Report 3 issued in mid-March, Unver noted that managers of water resources need to coordinate with people from other fields and improve their work. Governments, companies and the public, he said, should also try every means available to protect water resources worldwide.

"Although there are many problems, they are not irresolvable," he said.

Unver said the management of water resources is of great significance because it can ensure the reasonable allocation and safe use of water resources. Water management also is the foundation of food and energy security and environmental protection, he said.

The senior UN official emphasized that China plays a significant role in water management and can act as a role model for other countries.

As a major investor and donator, China has a great say in the management of global water resources, he said.

Unver noted that Chinese President Hu Jintao made a call several years ago to develop a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society. He said he welcomed the call and thought it was in accordance with the spirit promoted in the UN report.

Unver said the UN report mentions how China has been successful in managing its water resources and describes some successful cases such as the expansion of water services in Dalian, a port city in northeastern China, and the transfer of water from the Yangtze River to the Yellow River.

Another achievement that China has made is increasing its water resources utilization rate by 10 percent, the report said.

Unver said China's Ministry of Water Resources has expressed interest in cooperating with UNESCO on regional water assessment programs. Unver said he hoped cooperation in this regard will bear fruit.