Ambassador Kubanychbek Omuraliev, the Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and Ambassador Dr. István Vásáry, the Executive Head of the Representation Office of the OTS in Budapest attended a regional water industry forum in Brussels. The event was organized by the Representation Office and the Drought Prevention Institute established by the Office and was held in the House of Hungary in Brussels.
The lectures delivered during the Forum pointed out that the challenges caused by water shortages can be met by cooperation, innovation and strategic planning, as well as with the contribution of the expertise of Hungary in water management. Hungary is in possession of valuable competence, and there are specialized institutes in the country that examine and forecast these “extremities in the weather.”
The CEO of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), Gábor Jenei drew the attention to the fact that natural disasters cause heavy damage in the region of the Turkic states, which, in turn, exacerbate the sweeping economic troubles caused by climate change. As Gábor Jenei put it, Hungary too was confronted by these challenges in response to which she has developed her own Drought Observing System (MARS). The system covering the whole of Hungary offers real time data which – as it was emphasized by the CEO of the HEPA – are indispensable for decision making by the Government, planning in the agricultural sector and the protection of the ecosystem. He stressed that such a permanent control is of key significance not only for water supply but food security and economic stability.
The Secretary General of the OTS, Kubanychbek Omuraliev, underlining the significance of the Forum in Brussels, drew the attention to the fact that the challenges to water reserves generate more and more problems for all regions. As he put it, for the region of the Turkic states, lying in a strategically important position, the issue of water shortages is a common and ever surging challenge. However, there is nothing new in this problem. As Ambassador Omuraliev indicated, it was exacerbated by several factors – among them climate change, population growth, as well as the unsustainable practice of water management. “However, by working jointly, we can transform these challenges into opportunities. In order to tackle these issues cooperation on the regional level is indispensable. The setting up of the European Headquarters of the OTS in Budapest was a vital step.” As the Secretary General pointed out, the Representation Office is actively cooperating with the Member States in tackling the challenges in the field of water management, irrigation, drought prevention and other issues of the protection of the environment. Citing an example, Kubanychbek Omuraliev told the Forum that as part of the cooperation within the OTS, Kazakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have concluded an agreement on building a jointly operated water power plant.
Dr. István Vásáry, the Executive Head of the Representation Office of the OTS in Budapest called the initiative significant that is meant to utilize, building – among others – on the expertise of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő (MATE) in water management, plant breeding in the Turkic republics in Central Asia hit by droughts. Up to the present moment, in the framework of the cooperation two initiatives have been launched – both of them in Kyrgyzstan, aimed at the introduction of plants that tolerate dryness well.
László Örlős, the operative manager of the Drought Prevention Institute emphasized that by implementing these initiatives, the exposure of the countries concerned to the negative social and economic impact caused by increasing water shortages due to climate change can be alleviated. In the field of water management, urban development, sustainable agriculture, as well as sustainable energy solutions, Hungary is relying on her outstanding experiences and technological edge, all of which play an important role in formulating the new practices to be shared with the countries of the OTS.
In this context, the Drought Prevention Institute is making efforts to boost water security, to promote sustainable agriculture and water management, to facilitate regional cooperation, and in connection with the issue of water to implement innovative technologies to prevent droughts. It was added by László Örlős that by sharing the expertise, the technologies and good practices, the member states of the OTS are able to work out a more unified approach to the struggle against droughts, and – in such a way – provide for the food and water security of their populations.
