Turkey: River Basin Management

The International Congress on River Basin Management organized by General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI) in collaboration with WWC was held from 22 to 24 March, 2007 in Antalya, Turkey.  The main purpose of this Congress was to contribute to the regional preparations for the 5th World Water Forum that will be held in Istanbul, Turkey  in  2009. This congress has been considered as an opportunity to bring together professionals affiliated with international organizations, river basin management experts, academicians, public and private sector representatives, and researchers working on matters related to river basins. The aim of the congress is to exchange experiences information on methodologies and techniques used in the river basin management.

The governmental personnel at high level have attended to the Congress. The congress was commenced with the opening speech of the Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan noted that today one billion people in the world suffer from lack access to drinking water and 2.5 billion people in the world suffer from lack access to clean water. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Dr. Hilmi Güler, stated that there is need to deal with security of supply of energy and security of water as an integrity. The Minister of Environment and Forestry, Mr. Osman Pepe expressed his thoughts on the environmental concerns on water resources. The Mayor of Antalya provinces Mr. Menderes Türel expressed this pleasure to host the congress in his province and Prof. Dr. Veysel Eroglu, Director General of State Hydraulic Works, expressed that the conclusion of this Congress would be regarded as providing an international dialogue and understanding, while knowledge and experience on the implementation is being shared. The president of WWC Mr. L. Fauchon and the General Sectretary of the 5th World Water Forum Prof. Dr. Oktay Tabasan were also delivered their speeches at the opening ceremony of the Congress.  Antalya Congress can be defined with high level official participations, well logistic organization and valuable exhibition. Strong support of the Congress by Turkish government has permitted to attract attention across the world. 700 participants from 60 different countries participated in the congress. Among the international distinguished participants Mr.Andras Szöllosi-Nagy (UNESCO Water Science Director), Mr.Jerome Delli Priscoli  (Alternate of Governor, WWC), Prof. Dr. Benedito Braga (Vice President of WWC), Prof. Dr. Dogan Altinbilek (the President of IHA), Mr. Luis Berga (the President of ICOLD), Mr. Jean Froncois Donzier (the Director General of Office International Del’Eau), Mr. M. Gopalakrishnan (Secretary General of ICID) gave valuable presentations on integrated river Basin Management.

Conference Photos Gallery.