The ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center aims to provide a platform for all ASEM members with interests in water resources to strengthen exchange and cooperation.

At the Eighth ASEM Summit (ASEM 8) hosted by Belgium at Brussels on 4-5 October 2010, Chinese Premier WEN Jiabao proposed to establish an ASEM Water Resources Research and Development Center in Changsha City of Hunan Province, China, with a view to promoting sustainable development in Asia and Europe through science and technology (S&T) collaboration on water resources.

This Center will be the first institution to strengthen cooperation in water resources management for all ASEM members by conducting R&D programs and joint research, information sharing on a voluntary basis.