TIF Participated in Regional Water Forum in Brussels

On 5 March 2025, Regional Water Forum, organized by the Drought Prevention Institute of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), was held in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, financial experts, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable water management solutions in the Turkic world. The Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) actively contributed to the discussions, with Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Mr. Sanjar Usmanov, virtually joining a panel discussion on “Opportunities for joint actions concerning financing and investment possibilities and challenges of green growth in the OTS countries”.

The event was inaugurated by H.E. Tamás Iván Kovács, Ambassador of Hungary to Belgium, followed by keynote addresses from H.E. Amb. Kuban Omuraliev, Secretary General of OTS, who emphasized regional cooperation in water management. Omuraliev said, “By working together on concrete projects with experts from the OTS members, regional and international institutions, we can secure a sustainable water future.”

While Mr. Gabor Jenei, CEO of HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency highlighted investment opportunities in sustainable infrastructure, Mr. Francis Baert, Vice President of Trade Promotion Europe, discussed the role of national agencies in supporting water-related technological advancements. The Forum also featured H.E. Shahin Mustafayev, President of the Turkic Academy, providing a regional review of sustainability and water cooperation in the OTS member states.

TIF CIO Sanjar Usmanov, emphasized the growing challenge of water scarcity and its inefficient use leading not only to severe environmental and social consequences, but also huge economic losses. In the context of TIF’s mission, Agribusiness and Sustainable Infrastructure, were highlighted to be amongst the priority intervention areas for the Fund, particularly noting that outdated irrigation technologies result in over 50 per cent water losses used for irrigation, while obsolete water supply/collection networks cause physical and commercial water losses at as high as 80 per cent.

Mr. Usmanov emphasized the need in uniting efforts and joining forces to mobilize global partnerships between the private and public sectors, MDBs, IFIs, international organizations and development partners, agribusinesses, universities and R&D centers, commercial entities and government agencies to enable favorable environment for investments and technologic advancements required for water security in the OTS region and beyond.

The panel discussion also featured contributions from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Global Green Growth Institute.