OSCE promotes digitalization of water sector in Turkmenistan
An OSCE-organized online seminar on international experience in the modernization of water sector through the implementation of digital systems took place from 14 to 15 June 2022. The two-day event analysed global trends, policies and strategies in this area, and facilitated a discussion of further steps to modernize Turkmenistan's water management system.
Representatives from the State Committee of Water Economy of Turkmenistan, Hydrometeorology Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, other relevant ministries and non-governmental organizations attended the event.
Four international experts from Albania, the Netherlands and Switzerland facilitated the event and presented best practices of the OSCE participating States in the implementation of innovative solutions and digital systems for sustainable water management.
“Water management has always been an integral part of the OSCE agenda, reflecting the Organization`s comprehensive approach to economic and environmental matters. The OSCE has a long track record of supporting the OSCE participating States to jointly manage water resources sustainably and has successfully supported co-operation among its participating States,” said Ivana Markovic-Boskovic, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“Bearing in mind the devastating impacts of global warming and climate change on water resources, it is essential to develop and modernize the water sector through implementation of advanced solutions and digital systems which have become critical elements for enabling effective water management and distribution,” added Markovic-Boskovic.
The experts also elaborated on the use of open source data to improve hydrological water balance modelling, as well as the employment of open access to data and educational materials to develop a monitoring system to protect freshwater resources in Central Asia. They introduced participants to satellite remote sensing and its application for the analysis of irrigation efficiency and crop mapping in the Central Asian region, along with digital solutions to protect freshwater resources from environmental pollution.