3rd Istanbul International Water Forum
Date: 27-29 May 2014
Place: Haliç Congress and Cultural Centre, Istanbul - Turkey
Convener(s): Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Turkey; Turkish Water Institute (SUEN)
Main Theme: Water Security and Legal Aspects of Water
The 3rd IIWF was organised by SUEN under the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs of Turkey. Prominent international water-related organisations, namely International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the World Water Council, International Network of Basin Organisations (INBO), International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and D-8 Organisation of Economic Cooperation contributed to the Forum by either actively participating in the thematic sessions or holding side and special events. The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), General Directorate of Water Management, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) and Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) also provided invaluable contributions to the Forum.
The 3rd IIWF welcomed 3,095 registered participants from countries all over the world, primarily from Macedonia, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal,Bulgaria, Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, India, Morocco, Yemen, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, USA, Malaysia, Tanzania and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The participant profile included a wide spectrum of water professionals ranging from academics, scientists to representatives from governmental institutions, international organisations, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector.
Eight thematic sessions were held under the Forum’s main themes “Water Security” and “Legal Aspects of Water”. Different from the previous Forum in 2011, the thematic component of the 3rd IIWF was simpler in content, but more to the point. As the world moves from the Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, this Forum chose to focus on responses to the issues of global water security and discuss the all-important issues of climate change, water-food-energy-ecology nexus, water governance and integrated basin management. The thematic sessions featured keynote speeches followed by moderated panel discussions.
Click here for more information on Thematic Sessions.
There were two plenary sessions on "Water Security and Sustainable Development Goals" and "Istanbul Water Consensus" (IWC), which is a global initiative to help and challenge local and regional authorities to improve their water management strategies and services in the face of global changes.
Click here for more information on Plenary Sessions.
Istanbul Water Consensus
21 side/special events were held by local and international organizations on a wide range of subjects.
Click here to view the list of Side/Special Events.
A number of artistic performances and exhibitions were staged throughout the Forum showcasing traditional Turkish arts.
On the last day of the Forum, a technical visit was held to a drinking water treatment plant and a wastewater treatment plant in Istanbul.
The Forum also hosted a Water Expo, where the participants explored the activities, services and products of various water organisations and firms.
The outcome messages of the 3rd IIWF are compiled in a Final Report.
Click here to view the 3rd IIWF Final Report.
Click here to view the photos of the 3rd IIWF.