From the Bosphorus to the Global Water Agenda: SIC ICWC Participation in the 5th Istanbul Water Forum

The 5th Istanbul Water Forum was held in Istanbul on 5–6 May 2026 under the overarching theme of strengthening water sustainability and moving from innovation to practical action. The Forum brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, river basin institutions, the scientific and expert community, financial institutions, and civil society to discuss key challenges on the global and regional water agenda.

Director of SIC ICWC, D. Ziganshina, participated in the Forum and delivered a presentation on inclusive water dialogue, partnership, trust, and the role of information systems in strengthening cooperation.

In her presentation, she emphasized that, for Central Asia, data sharing and the introduction of modern technologies are not only matters of digitalization, but also essential elements in building a culture of cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the need to create favorable conditions for data exchange at both national and regional levels, including the development of modern monitoring systems, improved data comparability and reliability, joint management of information platforms, and strengthened professional trust among institutions and expert communities.

It was noted that data alone cannot solve problems if the legal, institutional, technical, and human capacities necessary for its effective use are lacking. Therefore, information systems should be viewed not only as technological tools, but also as mechanisms for fostering trust, transparency, and shared responsibility for the future of water resources.

In addition, D. Ziganshina participated in a session dedicated to preparations for the 11th World Water Forum, where she briefed participants on progress under Theme 4, “Water Governance and Diplomacy.” In her presentation, she outlined the current progress of the thematic process, identified key areas for further coordination, and emphasized the importance of aligning efforts among regional and global water initiatives.

A session on financing the water sector attracted particular interest during the forum. Participants discussed new approaches to mobilizing financial resources, including restructuring countries’ debt obligations under more favorable terms and redirecting the resulting savings toward socially significant and water management projects. Initiatives aimed at engaging corporations, charitable organizations, and innovative platforms in advancing the water agenda were also presented.

Notable examples included UNOPS’s “Blueing the Black Sea” initiative, which seeks to combat water pollution through innovative solutions, as well as findings from the AIIB report Where Water Flows, highlighting investment opportunities in the water sector, including financing for nature-based infrastructure. Discussions also underscored the transboundary and interregional interlinkages of hydrological and climatic processes: changes occurring in one region, including Turkey and the Black Sea basin, may influence precipitation patterns, water regimes, and climatic conditions in other regions, including Russia and Central Asia.

An important outcome of the Forum was its role as a platform for coordinating preparations for several major international water events: the 2026 UN Water Conference in UAE, the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh in March 2027, and the IWRA World Water Congress in Istanbul in 2027. This approach positioned the Istanbul Forum not as a standalone event, but as an important step toward shaping a more coherent, action-oriented, and inclusive global water agenda.

Participation in the 5th Istanbul Water Forum provided an opportunity to share Central Asia’s experience in water diplomacy, data exchange, and regional cooperation, while also contributing to discussions on future international processes aimed at strengthening water security, sustainable development, and cooperation at all levels.