2nd Istanbul International Water Forum

Date: 3-5 May 2011
Place: Haliç Congress and Cultural Centre, Istanbul - Turkey

Convener(s): General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI)

Main Theme: An Istanbul Perspective on Regional Water Problems and Search for Solutions

Hosted and organized by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) and Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI), the 2nd Istanbul International Water Forum brought together over 4,500 participants from 100 countries around the world and particularly from the Middle East, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Turkey. The Forum served as a platform for the key international and local water stakeholders In and Around Turkey to widen the debate and foster greater coordination among water professionals, policy makers, non-governmental institutions, as well as individuals in the region.

On the first day of the Forum, a Ministerial Meeting was held gathering ministers and high-level decision makers from countries of the Forum‘s focal regions to share their visions on common water challenges and explore areas of cooperation. Organized by the Foreign Relations and EU Department of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey, the Ministerial Meeting discussed the topics essential in overcoming global, regional and local water challenges and underlined the need to enhance communication among national governments, relevant state institutions as well as international organizations and stakeholders.

Click here for more information on the Ministerial Meeting.

The Forum’s main theme “An Istanbul Perspective on Regional Water Problems and Search for Solutions” was addressed through 26 Thematic Sessions organized under six sub-themes, namely:

• Regional Technical Cooperation on Water;
• Water for Energy;
• Agricultural Water Management;
• Global Climate Change and Water;
• Agricultural Water Management;
• Water Resources Management and Water Culture.

Click here for more information on the Thematic Sessions. 

In the light of the outcomes of the first series of Regional Focus Meetings held prior to the Forum, a group of prominent international and regional water professionals and civil society representatives gathered around the table to discuss regional water challenges and possible solutions under the main themes: “Water and Food Security and Regional Technical Cooperation on Water” for the Middle East, “Agricultural Challenges Focusing on Food Security - Regional and National Perspectives” for Central Asia, “Integrated Water Resources Management” for Eastern Europe, and “Agricultural Water Management and Food Security” for Turkey.

Click here for more information on Regional Focus Meetings. 

Three High Level Panels were organized under the titles “Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)”, “Water-Food-Energy Nexus” and “Urban Water Services”, with an aim to synthesize the Forum’s regional and thematic viewpoints on related subjects.

Click here for more information on High Level Panels.

The 17 Side Events/Special Events that were organized by a diversity of interests and organizations, including NGOs, government agencies, UN institutions, private entrepreneurs, consultants and others, broadened the range of topics that were covered in the Forum with lively and fruitful discussions. Side Events covered a range of subjects from technical and social aspects of water management to gender issues, from impacts of climate change to economic growth. A Special Event organized by DSI presented case studies from Turkey on water solutions. Another Special Event convened by ISKI was on “Istanbul Water Consensus and Water Applications”.

Click here to view the list of Side/Special Events.

A Water Expo was organized to provide a platform for water companies and governmental institutions to present their activities and solutions related to water.

Concerts, stage performances and exhibitions held throughout the Forum venue complemented the Forum discussions and debates, demonstrating the importance of water in our lives.

The outcome messages of the 2nd IIWF are compiled in a Final Report.

Click here to view the 2nd IIWF Final report.

Click here to view photos of the 2nd IIWF.