As part of 2024 UN Climate Change and Conference of the Parties (COP29) held between 11-22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, a session on "The Strengthening of Water Cooperation and Policies at the Regional and Global Levels in Response to Climate Change" was organized by SUEN at Türkiye Pavillion on the conference’s Agriculture and Water Day on 19 November 2024.

The event showcased Türkiye's proactive efforts in promoting innovative water resource management practices and strengthening international partnerships to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.

The opening speech of the session was made by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Ahmet Bağcı. The session proceeded with the speech by SUEN President Prof. Dr. Lütfi Akca, contributed by Dr. Tuğba Evrim Maden as session moderator. Dr. Anil Mishra from UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, Engineer Abdulla Al Remeithi from Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, Simla Yasemin Özkaya from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aliagha Azizoz from Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency took part as panelists.

Key topics discussed:

• Enhancing water storage capacities to build resilience against climate variability
• Adopting controlled groundwater use and artificial recharge techniques to sustain aquifers
• Implementing water efficiency measures as fundamental climate adaptation strategies
• Fostering regional and global cooperation to develop integrated approaches to water and climate challenges
• Generating actionable solutions for pressing water issues
• Promoting sustainable practices through innovative, forward-thinking strategies
• Highlighting integrated flood management for upstream and downstream coordination

This session reinforced the importance of knowledge sharing, collective action, and regional dialogue in shaping sustainable water resource management solutions.