OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organizes seminar on international experience on implementing digital technologies in water industry
International experiences on implementing digital technologies in the water industry was the focus of an OSCE-organized online seminar held on 10 and 11 August 2021 in Ashgabat.
The seminar brought together the representatives from the State Committee of Water Economy of Turkmenistan; the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (MAEP); the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna; the Parliament (Mejlis); and other relevant ministries and agencies.
The event was facilitated by two international experts from Switzerland and Morocco. They shared best practices collected from OSCE participating States on the implementation of innovative solutions and digital technologies for sustainable water management. A particular focus was also placed on areas such as the irrigation sector, water conservation, water availability and supply.
“We all know how acute the issue of climate change is at the global level and how its effects exacerbate water scarcity in areas with limited water resources. That is why it is vital to improve water management, as this, in turn, will help support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“Given the major technological progress of the 21st century, digital tools and innovative approaches are indispensable for achieving sustainable development in the environmental field in general and in the water industry in particular. Such technological developments offer great opportunities for sound and sustainable water resource management and are essential for the development of effective national water management systems, as well as an effective legal and financial framework for international co-operation on water and hydro-diplomacy issues,” Leaf added.
The Centre organized the event within the framework of the project, Improving Capacities of the Host Country to Strengthen Environmental Protection System and Energy Security, Phase II.