Baku to host second international water week to tackle regional challenges Photo

The 2nd Baku Water Week, featuring both an international exhibition and conference on water management, will take place from September 10 to 12 in Baku.

The event is considered a platform of strategic importance for Azerbaijan and the wider region, aiming to foster open dialogue and practical cooperation in water management.

Organisers say the event will provide tangible benefits and opportunities for both local and international participants, with a focus on advancing Azerbaijan’s water management sector, attracting new technologies and investments, addressing current challenges, and creating networking opportunities for stakeholders.

Baku Water Week is organised with the support of the State Water Resources Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, led by Caspian Event Organisers and supported by the Azerbaijan Exhibition Organisers Association (ASTA).

Highlighting the event’s significance, ACWA Power — one of Saudi Arabia’s leading energy and water companies — is serving as the general sponsor. The company supports the promotion of sustainable water solutions and will play a major role in the conference agenda.

ACWA Power’s General Country Manager for Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Selim Güven, shared details of the company’s involvement: “We are a developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalinated water plants, with 109 assets in operation, construction, or advanced development across 15 countries.

With an investment portfolio of USD 117 billion, we can generate 94 GW of power and produce 9.9 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day. We employ over 4,000 people, with nearly 59% local employment.

ACWA Power is the world’s largest private water desalination company and the only company to lead across three critical areas for the future – renewable energy, green hydrogen, and desalinated water. Our mission is to provide electricity and desalinated water reliably, sustainably, and at the lowest possible cost.

In Azerbaijan, we have already invested USD 340 million in the Khizi-Absheron 240 MW wind power plant. We are also proud to be the successful bidder for the Caspian Seawater Desalination Project, with a capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day – the first large-scale plant of its kind in the Caspian region – which will play a vital role in ensuring Azerbaijan’s long-term water security. For this project, we plan to invest USD 400 million.

In this regard, we are pleased to serve as the general sponsor of Baku Water Week, a platform that offers significant opportunities for cooperation in water resource management, the application of sustainable technologies, and the strengthening of water security in the region.

We are committed to working closely with government institutions, industry partners, and innovation leaders to help build a more efficient and sustainable water future for Azerbaijan and the wider region.”

During the 2nd International Exhibition and Conference for Water Management, held as part of Baku Water Week, ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli will deliver a plenary session speech on “Leadership in Water Governance: Regional and Global Perspectives,” while Selim Güven will participate in a panel on “Innovative Approaches to Alternative Water Resources Management.”

Key themes of Baku Water Week will include water resources management, efficient water use, climate change, water security, water diplomacy, and innovative technologies. The event will also facilitate B2B and B2G meetings to strengthen collaboration between government bodies, the private sector, and start-ups.

Pasha Bank is the official financial institution of the event, while the Absheron Hotel Group serves as the official hotel. Additional partners include Hilton Baku, Radisson Hotel Baku, Hilton Garden Inn Baku, Ibis Baku City, Gloria Flowers, Buketeria, Greenwich Travel Club, AzExpoMontage LLC, and Caspian Freight Services.

By Aghakazim Guliyev