Caspian International Water Technologies Forum was held

    On April 12 Caspian International Technologies Forum was held in “Hilton Baku”. The forum was held in parallel with the Caspian International Water Technologies (CATEF-2013) exhibition. Over 200 specialists and 50 professors from different countries attended the conference.

   Firstly the participants visited the tomb of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in Alley of Honors.

   At the opening ceremony of the conference deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov read out a congratulatory message of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the forum participants. In the letter, the president expressed the hope that the forum, which demonstrates the achievements of great importance for water sector, will become a regular and will take its place among the major events of this kind: "Socio-economic strategy, the foundation of which was laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev, has created a favourable basis and guarantee for the successful implementation of infrastructure projects in the country.”

    Speaking the forum deputy PM Abid Sharifov touched upon dynamic development of Azerbaijan’s economy during recent years. He noted that as a result of this development, about $25.18 bn ($15.05 bn domestic investment, $10.03 bn foreign investment) was invested in Azerbaijan’s economy in 2012: ‘$19.04 bn from total investments was directed to non-oil sector, $6.4 bn – oil sector’.

    Chairman of “Azersu” OJSC Gorkhmaz Huseynov emphasized that development of water supply and sewerage infrastructures of the country is one of the goals of the state and President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to this sector.

    Recalling Master Plan reflecting development strategy of water supply, sewerage and stormwater infrastructures taking account of perspective development and growth as of 2035 Gorkhmaz Huseynov stated that In accordance with this Plan water supply and sewerage infrastructures in the capital and Absheron Peninsula will be improved and cover all residential areas.

    Turkey's Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu said that today’s forum assumes great importance: “We can establish very big and important business with Azerbaijan in this field.” The minister noted that earlier, Turkey faced with water problem: “But thanks to new technologies, this problem has been solved in the country”. He invited Azerbaijan to use Turkish experience in this area. 

    Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyngulu Bagirov remembering that water resources in Azerbaijan which are rather scanty, are unequally distributed across the country pointed out the importance of using water resources efficiently and prevention of drinking water.

     Vice president of World Water Council Dogan Alinbilek, vice president of International Water Association Diana Daras, Akif Alizade, president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), vice president of the International Association of Hydrogeologists Igor Zektser also stated at the forum.