Azerbaijan Hosts 2nd International Water Management Conference as Part of Baku Water Week 2025
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ADSEA) on September 11 organized the 2nd International Water Management Exhibition and Conference within the framework of Baku Water Week 2025, bringing together officials, experts, and industry leaders from around the world to address global water challenges.
Opening the conference, ADSEA First Deputy Chairman Khayyam Mammadov stressed that water resource management is no longer a national concern but a global priority. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s reforms and large-scale projects in the sector, while noting that issues such as climate change and water scarcity require collective solutions, experience exchange, and joint initiatives.
The plenary session, moderated by Professor Olcay Ünver of Arizona State University, focused on “Leadership in Water Governance: Regional and Global Perspectives.” Speakers included ADSEA Chairman Zaur Mikayilov, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov, the President’s Representative on Climate Issues and COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli, and Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev.
In his address, Zaur Mikayilov underlined the rising global demand for water and the growing pressures from climate change, urbanization, and industrialization. He outlined Azerbaijan’s National Water Strategy, which sets long-term goals for equitable and rational resource use, infrastructure modernization, digital management, sustainable water sourcing, and stronger international cooperation. Projects such as new reservoirs, irrigation system upgrades, and improved urban-rural water supply are already under way.
Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov announced increased subsidies for locally produced modern irrigation equipment to support farmers, expand production capacity, and boost employment. He said flood irrigation will be banned in liberated territories as part of a phased national transition to modern irrigation systems, conserving water while enhancing productivity.
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted the accelerating impacts of climate change, including glacier melting and declining snow reserves in the Caucasus. He stressed the need for adaptation strategies, warning that Azerbaijan is among the countries facing significant water scarcity risks.
Deputy Minister Rauf Hajiyev emphasized that pollution and scarcity threaten ecosystems, agriculture, public health, and social stability. He outlined ministry priorities, including modern monitoring systems, ecological assessments of new projects, and fulfilling international commitments such as the UN Water Convention. He underlined that an ecological approach to water management is now a strategic necessity for both environmental sustainability and regional security.
The event also featured panel discussions on water strategies, infrastructure and digitalization, alternative resource management, water diplomacy, and sustainability through science and innovation. Winning teams of the “Hackathon” competition were also recognized.
Baku Water Week 2025 hosts around 70 companies and delegations from Azerbaijan, Germany, the United States, Austria, Belarus, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Israel, Switzerland, India, Hungary, Türkiye, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
