SUSTAINABILITY

Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH) organized an international panel within the scope of the “United Nations 2023 Water Conference” as part of the March 22 World Water Day events. The opening speech of the panel was made by Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran.

In the panel titled “Water at the Intersection of Science and Diplomacy” moderated by Prof. Dr. Alper Baba, Vice Rector for Research and Head of the Department of International Water Resources at IZTECH, education, research and community contribution activities carried out in general and specifically in the Department of International Water Resources at IZTECH were shared.

Speaking at the panel titled “Science and Water Diplomacy,” Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Baran noted the following: “The drought problem is one of the most important problems of our day. In the coming days, we may face much greater crises in accessing clean water. However, science comes into play here, and thanks to the power of science, it is in our hands to develop new technologies in irrigation and drinking water production, and to ensure that new technologies are available to everyone. In this sense, extremely valuable studies are being carried out at IZTECH and especially in our International Water Resources department. We should all join hands and determine a common strategy to produce projects compatible with climate change.”

Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alper Baba, who moderated the panel “Water at the Intersection of Science and Diplomacy”, said, “Since more than seventy percent of our planet is covered with water, it can be thought that we will not experience water shortages. However, due to climate change, we are experiencing problems especially in accessing clean drinking water. We need to produce sustainable solutions for new water resources and as the IYTE International Water Resources Department, we are developing projects on this subject.”

In the international panel organized by İYTE; Simla Yasemin Özkaya from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mete Saatçi from the World Water Council, Prof. Dr. Susanna Schmeier from Delft University, Prof. Dr. Olcay Ünver from Arizona State University, Prof. Dr. Patricia Wouters and Prof. Dr. Sergei Vinogradov from the International Water Law Academy and Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Kibaroğlu from İYTE and MEF University were also panelists.

Conducting studies to contribute to Turkey’s water policies, İYTE received special accreditation from the United Nations on January 24, 2023 to participate in and organize events at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, the world’s largest event on water. Many high-level meetings and special events are being held with the participation of United Nations member countries and other stakeholders within the scope of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference to be held in New York on March 22-24, 2023. The importance of water on the way to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals will be discussed from many perspectives at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, which will be held under the themes of “Water for Health,” “Water for Sustainable Development,” “Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment,” “Water for International Cooperation,” and “International Water Action Plan.”