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Türkiye's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli received the International Water Resources Association flag from Moroccan Minister of Public Works and Water Nizar Baraka on Thursday, officially marking Istanbul as the host city for the 20th World Water Congress in 2027.
The symbolic handover took place during the closing ceremony of the 19th World Water Congress in Marrakech, where Yumakli outlined Türkiye's vision for water management and previewed the themes that will define the next gathering of the global water community.
"Water resources, which have shaped civilizations throughout history, continue to occupy a central place in our world, which is being transformed by knowledge, technology, innovation and cooperation," Yumakli said during his address.
The International Water Resources Association, founded in 1972, organizes the World Water Congress as its premier conference, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and water management professionals from around the world to address critical challenges in water sustainability and governance.
Yumakli emphasized Istanbul's historical significance as a strategic location for the congress, noting that the city has hosted civilizations throughout history and been shaped by water culture. The 2027 congress will carry the theme "Smart, Resilient and Circular: The Transformation of Water."
"For this reason, Istanbul is one of the most appropriate addresses for the 20th World Water Congress," Yumakli said, describing the city as "the city of transformation."
The minister invited participants to gather in Istanbul "to address the water issue from different perspectives in 2027."
Yumakli detailed Türkiye's multi-faceted approach to water management, emphasizing the country's adaptation to changing climate conditions through infrastructure investments supported by nature-based solutions, digital technologies and smart systems.
The country has implemented a Water Efficiency Mobilization campaign to strengthen public awareness while expanding practices that increase water reuse. Yumakli highlighted Türkiye's programs supporting producers, particularly youth and women, to strengthen rural development and sustain agricultural production.
"We are expanding urban agriculture, implementing water-centered production planning, and significantly reducing water use with artificial intelligence-supported irrigation systems," Yumakli said.
Türkiye has also developed a wastewater and environmental surveillance system that was launched during the pandemic and has since expanded to include antibiotic resistance monitoring. "This system has become one of the most concrete applications of the One Water-One Health approach today," Yumakli noted.
The minister said Türkiye is increasing clean energy capacity through hydroelectric and floating solar energy systems, contributing to both water conservation and low-carbon development, while promoting the reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture to support circular and climate-resilient production models.
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The 2027 Istanbul congress will follow several significant water-focused events, including the 5th Istanbul International Water Forum in 2026, which Yumakli said will serve as strategic preparation for the UN 2026 Water Conference, the 2027 World Water Forum, and the 20th World Water Congress.
Yumakli outlined an extensive thematic scope for the Istanbul congress, covering smart water systems and digital innovation, climate-adaptive resilient infrastructure, circular water economy and resource recovery, strengthening cooperation and commitment in water governance, water quality and the One Water One Health approach, nature-based and hybrid solutions, capacity building models, and innovative financing mechanisms for smart and circular water management.
"We want to create a global platform where science and policy form a strong bond, where interregional cooperation is strengthened, and which contributes to a more sustainable and more resilient water future for everyone," Yumakli said.
The minister concluded his remarks by calling for collective action: "Let us build a more resilient and more sustainable future together around the unifying power of water. See you in Istanbul."
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