The Turkish Water Institute organized the 3rd Istanbul International Water Forum in Halic Congress Center on 27 - 29 May 2014. The Fora are held every three years, since 2008, one year prior to the triennial World Water Forum. The 5th World Water Forum was held in Istanbul in 2009, organized by the World Water Council and hosted by Turkey. As well as scheduled panels and events, the Forum is also the scene of informal meetings among the major players in the international water community.
The two focal points of this year’s Forum were Water Security and Legal Aspects of Water. TUBITAK MAM Environment and Cleaner Production Institute (ECPI) participated in the “Adaptability of Water Governance at Different Levels and Regional Contexts” Panel, as well as, two side events: “Building a Science Policy Interface Platform” by the International Water Resources Association and “Water Challenges in Changing World – Water JPI and WatEUr” organized by Spanish Ministry and Competitiveness, French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Technology and the Turkish Water Institute.
The Environment and Cleaner Production Institute also participated in the Forum Expo. Water related projects of the Institute presented to the Expo visitors were Preparation of Watershed Protection Action Plans, Determination of Sensitive Areas and Vulnerable Zones in Turkey, Preparation of Special Clauses for Karacaoren Dam Reservoirs and Beysehir Lake Watershed Protection, Determination of Water Pollution as a result of Pesticide Use, Determination of Bathing Water Profiles in Turkey and Determination of Hazardous Materials in Coastal and Inland Waters.
Prof. Mehmet Kitis and Dr. Selma Ayaz, Director and Vice Director of ECPI, represented the Institute in the Opening Ceremonies and were at hand to provide up-to-date information on the projects to the Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Prof. Veysel Eroglu, as well as, other international dignitaries at the Expo Inauguration. Researchers Dr. Ipek Erzi, Hande Gursoy Haksevenler and Pembe Ozer networked with representatives of the national and international water community throughout the Forum.
The Istanbul International Water Forum is the flagship event of the Turkish Water Institute. The outcomes of the Forum will be presented at the 7th World Water Forum in Kyoto in 2015. TUBITAK is represented on the Turkish Water Institute Executive Board by the Environment and Cleaner Production Institute Director.