The Turkic World 1st Water Workshop, supported by institutions including the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), was organized by Gaye Foundation, Water Foundation, and Academy Foundation, with the participation of many academics and experts from 9 countries, and was held in Afyonkarahisar on 26–28 November 2025.
At the workshop, 30 papers were presented in 7 sessions with the participation of water experts and administrators of water authorities from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria, Libya, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. TDBB provided participant support to the workshop.
Prof. Dr. Cumali Kınacı, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Academy Foundation, stated that with the Turkic World 1st Water Workshop, specialized academics and policymakers came together, had the opportunity to discuss comprehensively the management of water resources, and created an opportunity to get acquainted.
Following the opening speeches, former Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Prof. Dr. Veysel Eroğlu delivered a presentation on “The Importance of Water and Water Investments in Türkiye.” Eroğlu emphasized that throughout human history, water has been the fundamental source of life and civilizations, noting that people settled near water resources to meet their water needs easily, and that water is one of the most important elements shaping both social and economic development.
The workshop aimed to establish a common will and technical capacity against fundamental issues faced by our shared geographies, such as climate change, drought, and water scarcity. It marked a step toward permanent and technology-oriented cooperation between brother countries for water management and solutions to related problems.
At the workshop, prominent topics included determining the water potential and water needs of countries; water saving in agricultural irrigation and new irrigation technologies; choosing suitable crops in arid regions and years; recovery and reuse of wastewater; water efficiency and economy; water and wastewater treatment technologies; control of water losses and leaks; digitalization of water transmission, distribution, and management systems; financing of water investments and operations; efficient water administrative structuring; social issues related to water; and water policy and law.
After the workshop, the treatment plants in Afyonkarahisar were visited and the participants received information about the facilities from officials. Later, the program was completed with a tour of the Afyonkarahisar city center.
