The World Water Council’s 86th Board of Governors meeting was held in Istanbul on 17-18 February 2024, hosted by our country under the coordination of SUEN.
In his opening speech at the meeting, Minister Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, pointed out that humanity is experiencing political difficulties and humanitarian crises, climate change, water scarcity, food crises, increasing energy needs, environmental pollution and epidemics. Noting that water has become a priority issue that is frequently discussed on different platforms all over the world, the Minister stated that Türkiye follows the activities of the Council closely and actively contribute to these activities.
Highlighting the fair use of transboundary water resources by all basin countries is of great importance, Minister Yumaklı noted that cooperation is being made through the transfer of knowledge, experience and technology, and joint technical projects are developed, based on the principle of mutual benefit, for the protection and use of water resources in transboundary basins.
Stating that Türkiye will continue to fulfill its global and regional responsibility for the equitable, reasonable, effective use and protection of water resources, Minister Yumaklı underlined that Türkiye has made the legal reforms and infrastructure investments particularly in the last 25 years to manage water resources effectively and efficiently.
Following the opening speeches, a Memorandum of Understanding for the cooperation on water between our Ministry and the World Water Council was signed by our Minister and the President of the World Water Council, Loic Fauchon.
Before the meeting, on February 16, 2024, high-level delegations from various international organizations were hosted by SUEN President Prof. Dr. Lütfi Akca at SUEN.
European Commission Joint Research Center Portfolio Leader Bernd Gawlik, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Agency (HERA) Deputy Director Ana Burgos-Gutierrez and Policy Officer Angela Tessarolo visited SUEN. During the meeting, cooperation opportunities in the use of wastewater-based epidemiology in public health within the scope of the "One Health" approach were discussed.
Alain Meyssonnier, Governor at the World Water Council and President of the Mediterranean Water Institute (IME), visited SUEN. During the meeting, possible cooperation opportunities between SUEN and IME on water in the Mediterranean region were evaluated.
Lastly, a meeting was held at SUEN with International Water Resources Association (IWRA) President Yuanyuan Li and Executive Director Callum Clench, and possible collaborations that could be developed between the two institutions on global and regional water issues were evaluated.
