On March 13, the International Conference Baku Water Week began at The Ritz-Carlton Baku, which runs in parallel with the International Exhibition of Water Resources. The forum was kicked off by the opening remark by Zaur Mikayilov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency. He congratulated the conference participants and guests on its opening and underscored the sheer importance it brings. As the world faces water consumption and environment protection challenges and issues, the conference creates new possibilities to discuss pressing matters and work out potential solutions, the speaker pointed out. Professor Olcay Ünver of the Arizona State University, moderator of the first panel session titled "Global Water Deficiency and Climate Change" extended his congratulations to the organizers, lauding the important meeting and highlighting the high level of attendees and critical topics discussed as part thereof. Attending the first panel session were Zaur Mikayilov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency; Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan; Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan; Prof. Dr. Lütfi Akca, member of the World Water Council; Callum Clench, Executive Director of the International Water Resources Association; Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Azerbaijan; Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations; and Muhammad Nasar Hayat, UN FAO representative in Azerbaijan (Partnership and Communication Office). The speakers pointed out that water scarcity had already grown from a theoretical issue into a dire reality. Not only does this issue exacerbate climate change, but it also impacts agriculture and other aspects of people's life. The situation calls for consolidated action on the part of various bodies, such as ministries of agriculture and ecology and water management agencies, to resolve all the issues; besides, it would be important to set up a unified body that will act in a centralized manner. Other pending actions of importance include raising community's awareness of the value of water and changing the approach to its consumption.
Conference is dedicated to water resource management, water supply, climate change and its impact on water resources, and effective water use. The conference will see the presentation of the project “One Drop”, with different topics to be discussed such as “The Global Water Shortage and Climate Change”, “The Effective Use of Water Resources of Azerbaijan and Caspian Region”, “Technological Innovations in Water Resource Management”, “Use of Water in Agriculture”, “Innovations in Ecology”, “Sustainable Use of Water in Communities” and etc. The exhibition participants will be able to meet water industry majors and get an update on latest technological products and development strategies, as well as to sign ambitious agreements. The organizers expect the Baku Water Week to boost the development of Azerbaijan's water sector and facilitate the search for new solutions. The International Exhibition and Conference for Water Management (Baku Water Week) is organized by Caspian Event Organisers and its international partners Caspian Event Management and ICA Events. The event is actively supported by the State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organizers Association (ASTA).
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