Chaired by the director of the Institute of Geography named after acad. H. Aliyev of ANAS, academician Ramiz Mammadov, the first meeting of the public association “Water use professionals” was held with the participation of specialists in water management.

Opening the meeting, Ramiz Mammadov spoke about the reasons for the creation of the association, the strategic importance of water resources, the threat of turning the issue of water providing into the main problem in the XXI century.

The academician said that there are several organizations and ministries in the Azerbaijan Republic that have direct power with regard to drinking water, but that their functions, power and responsabilities are unclear, which in most cases creates certain difficulties in managing water quality and quantity.

Therefore, in order to organize education in the use of funds and means for improving the  knowledge of specialists, the public association “Water use professionals” will act as a coordinator and ensure the cooperation combining the leading specialists of these organizations and ministries.

Dr. of geography, Prof. Farda Imanov, presented to the meeting a list of 26 members of the Union, a list of members of the board, the executive director and the following working groups: water resources and their management; international cooperation and public relations; climate change and dangerous hydrometeorological events; education and outreach activities.

The list of working group was discussed. A list has been compiled. Leaders of some groups have been approved.

It  was decided to hold a meeting of the Consultative Council at least once a month and discuss all sorts of issues on water issues.

At the suggestion of Ramiz Mammadov, the next meeting is scheduled for January, which will be devoted to the assessment of water resources of Azerbaijan.