The Event
The experience we attained, the wisdom we gathered and the aptitude we developed before, during and after the 5th World Water Forum paved the way for the organization of the Istanbul International Water Forum. The 5th World Water Forum proved to be a groundbreaking event across the global water community and reaffirmed Turkey's pivotal role amongst the greatest nations of water. The Istanbul International Water Forum is expected to become an instrument for Turkey to continue this synergy.
The Istanbul International Water Forum is a high-profile international water event aimed at bringing regional and international water experts, practitioners, scientists, businessmen, civil society, UN organizations and decision makers together to engage in a multi-stakeholder dialogue, exchange experiences, discuss ideas and seek common solutions to the regional water-related problems in question. The outcomes of the Istanbul International Water Forum are also expected to provide valuable technical and intellectual input to the following World Water Forum.
The Istanbul International Water Forum is organized every three years, one year prior to the ensuing World Water Forum.
The first gathering of the Istanbul Water Forum was realized in February 14-15, 2009 as a preparatory meeting one month prior to the 5th World Water Forum, which was held in March 2009 in Istanbul. During the two-day event, the participants were informed about the Forum's thematic structure and how they could be more involved in it. Regional coordinators of the 5th Forum gave information regarding their preparations towards the Forum. Representatives of Turkish civil society organizations came together at the civil society meetings to discuss how to move forward to the 5th World Water Forum.
The 2nd Istanbul International Water Forum will take place between May 3-5, 2011, at the Haliç Congress and Cultural Centre in Istanbul, Turkey, the same venue as the 5th World Water Forum, with a focus on In and Around Turkey region under the main theme "An Istanbul Perspective on Regional Water Challenges and Solutions".