At the 4th Water and Environment Conference organized by SUTEK, attention was drawn to the importance of water in our lives.
The conference, hosted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, was attended by BTK President Dr. Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, mayors, members of parliament, sector representatives, and students.
In his speech at the opening of the program, BTK President Karagözoğlu emphasized that water is a limited resource. Highlighting that the rapidly increasing population also increases the need for water, Karagözoğlu stated, “With industrialization, our natural resources are gradually depleting, the environment we live in is being degraded, and our clean water sources are being polluted. For both preserving ecological balance and ensuring the sustainable development of human communities, water resources must be used in the most rational and sustainable manner to meet today's and future needs. This situation makes it imperative to use water effectively and efficiently in every field, to conserve water, and to apply the latest technologies. Although three-quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water, the amount of fresh water suitable for human use is quite limited. Less than 1% of the water on the Earth's surface consists of fresh water sources suitable for ecosystems and human use. Accordingly, while there are approximately 35 million cubic kilometers of fresh water on Earth, only 105 thousand cubic kilometers of it are among usable fresh water sources. 80 countries, which host 40% of the world's population, are already experiencing water scarcity.”
President Karagözoğlu: Water Resources Need to Be Used More Effectively
Expressing the misconception that Turkey is water-rich, Karagözoğlu said, “Our country is still considered a 'water-stressed' country with 1,519 m³ of water per capita. The Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) predicts that Turkey's population will reach 100 million by 2030. In this case, the per capita water amount is expected to be 1,120 m³/year. In other words, with the increasing population, developing economy, and growing cities in our country, the more effective use of water resources is of great importance. These resources are indispensable not only for biodiversity but also for agriculture, fisheries, and all other economic sectors. Considering the increasing population, growing economy, and water demand, the rational use and good management of water resources, which are essential for life, is a prerequisite for eliminating water-related risks.” He shared this information with the participants.
Karagözoğlu also touched upon what needs to be done to ensure water conservation. Karagözoğlu stated, “Today, the importance of developing technologies and infrastructures in many areas, from the treatment and recycling of wastewater to water conservation, cannot be denied. We are aware of the importance of developing electronic and communication technologies in the sustainable use of water resources. The emergence of 5G technology triggers innovation in vertical sectors using communication technology infrastructure. 5G technology will make significant contributions in many areas, such as solutions provided for water management, wastewater treatment, and all infrastructure and technologies necessary for water reuse.” He concluded his speech with these words.
Various presentations were made on the importance of water during the program. Municipalities, companies, and schools working on water and environment issues were also awarded.