The second Caspian International Aqua Technologies Conference was held in Baku

   The 2nd Caspian International Aqua Technologies Conference was held on 11 April at the JW Marriott Absheron Baku. The conference brought together 400 participants, including more than 90 influential industry scientists, as well as representatives of some 80 companies from 24 countries.

    The event started with a congratulatory address to the delegates from President Ilham Aliyev, which was read by Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov. The President’s letter said: “ – Today, in an effort to protect public health in the rapidly developing Azerbaijan, large-scale projects are underway aimed at the reconstruction and modernization of the drinking water supply system to ensure its quality. I believe that this will lead to the assessment of collaborative relationships and contribute to defining trends in development for the coming years. The implementation of this conference in Azerbaijan, that is of great value in terms of enhancing international cooperation and communicating new initiatives to business establishments, is a testament to the great interest paid to this important issue by the State. Undoubtedly, the conference will provide delegates with opportunities to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to define the major trends in the development of the water supply.”

   The 1st session was devoted to the topic of integrated water resources management and its economic and environmental assessment. During the session, presentations were made on the topics of “Conceptual foundations for Integrated Water Resources Management in Azerbaijan” (speakers: G. Huseynov and A. Alekberov, Azerbaijan), “An Evaluation of Important Strategies to Reduce Environmental Impacts” (Agni Vlavianos, Arvanitis, Greece), and “Achieving Acceptable Conditions for Water Resources in France” (Chantelle Pierre, France).

   During the conference panel discussions were held on issues such as “Innovative Technologies for the Processing of Drinking Water”, “Effective Management Methods for Water Resources and Wastewater and Rainwater Discharge Channels”, as well as “Geographic Information Systems and Technologies” and “A Green Planet: The Treatment and Recycling of Sewage”. Presentations were made by scientists from Azerbaijan, Turkey, France, Italy and Germany, among other countries.

   The 2nd and 3rd sessions of the Conference were devoted to the topics of “The Delivery and Quality of Water: Problems and Solutions”. Presentations were made by Mr Doghan Altinbilek, Vice-President of the World Water Council; President of the International Water Resources Association (France); Mr Hasan Zuhuri Sarikaya, Chair of the International University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Mr Ahmet Mete Saatchi, the President of the Turkish Water Institute, and others.

   By all accounts the Conference will serve to improve water cooperation, especially from an international perspective; help to disseminate environmentally sound technologies and know-how; and stimulate the leadership to promote water cooperation at all levels, as well as meeting other important industry goals and objectives.