"More and more cities and countries see access to water as a security concern and a potential trigger of conflict," Lee was quoted as saying at the launch of the Institute of Water Policy.
Lee blamed water scarcity on a lack of sound water management practices, the report said. He called for more research and innovation in the sector.
In a separate statement, the Asian Development Bank warned that developing countries in Asia could face an unprecedented water crisis within a decade due to mismanagement of resources.
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