First Lady Emine Erdoğan, participated in the “Water Efficiency Campaign” introductory meeting held at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center.
The “Water Efficiency Campaign” introductory meeting, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry under the leadership of First Lady Erdoğan, was organized at Beştepe National Congress and Culture Centre.
In her speech, First Lady Erdoğan stated that the aim of the gathering is for the introductory meeting of a nation-wide movement to protect water resources and pass them on to future generations.
“We are launching the National Water Efficiency Campaign in coordination with our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.” First Lady Erdoğan said and expressed her thanks to those who contributed.
“IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 700 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE DISPLACED DUE TO WATER SHORTAGE IN 2030”
Pointing out the importance of water, First Lady Erdoğan said: “Although we have the misconception that the riches that nourished these lands for thousands of years before us will exist forever, our resources are not unlimited. Due to the gradual decrease in precipitation and unconscious water consumption, our agricultural lands, wetlands, rivers, streams, and groundwater resources are now under the threat of drought. We must not forget that every drop of earth’s water that dries up means a destroyed home for the fish, birds, plants and many other organisms living in this ecosystem. Likewise, we need to remind ourselves that the fight against drought is actually a struggle for life for us human beings who cannot survive even three days without water. I believe that with the Water Efficiency Campaign we started with this perspective, we will grow drop by drop and nurture hope for a sustainable future.
First Lady Erdoğan emphasized that the amount of accessible fresh water in the world is less than one percent of the total available water, and stated, “Although water is the most fundamental human right, 3 out of 10 people globally do not have access to safe water.”
Pointing out that the decrease, pollution or inaccessibility of water brings with it many economic and political problems, First Lady Erdoğan stated, “At the forefront of these problems is the risk of food production. Because 77 percent of water is used in agriculture. While humanity has not yet been able to cope even with mass migrations triggered by conflicts, it is estimated that 700 million people will be displaced due to water scarcity in 2030.”
“IT IS FORGOTTEN THAT WATER IS NOT AN UNLIMITED RESOURCE”
Pointing out that the alarming situation in the world is no different in Türkiye, First Lady Erdoğan continued her speech stating: “In countries like Türkiye that have well-established infrastructure, access to clean water is so easy that it is forgotten that water is not an unlimited resource. According to research, 40 percent of our people think that our country is water rich. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Türkiye is a country ‘under water stress’ with an amount of 1,519 cubic meters of available water per person per year. It is estimated that this amount will decrease to 1,120 cubic meters in 2030 with the increasing population and uncontrolled water use. When it drops below a thousand cubic meters, we will face water scarcity. Unless prevented, it is estimated that our water resources will decrease by 25 percent in the near future. In the next 8 years, almost half of our population and 78 percent of irrigated agricultural areas may face the risk of ‘water deficit’. These figures tell us that we urgently need to establish a balance between our seemingly unlimited needs and our limited resources. With this campaign we have initiated, let’s collectively heed this call of the world. Let’s protect our future together with ‘Water is the homeland’ mentality and a spirit of campaign.”
First Lady Erdoğan stated that they have taken firm actions in the combat against climate change, with a perspective that sees nature not only as an inheritance from the past, but also as a trust from the future, and underlined that preserving water is an important pillar of this struggle.
Pointing out that most of the water is used in agriculture, First Lady Erdoğan underlined that in this context, guidelines have been prepared on alternative water efficiency practices such as “rainwater harvesting” and “use of grey water” and stated, “In cooperation with our Ministries, action plans have been prepared for all our water basins and ‘Gediz Basin Action Plan’ started to be implemented as the pilot region. In order to disseminate the measures taken, the ‘Water Efficiency Strategy Document and Action Plan’ was put into practice. In addition, irrigation efficiency is aimed to be increased from 49 percent to 75 percent.”
“I WISH THE NATIONAL WATER EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN WILL GROW IN OUR COUNTRY AND SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD”
Stating that it is possible to save half the water in production with the new techniques proposed by clean production and efficiency technologies in the industry, First Lady Erdoğan continued her words as follows: “Our business leaders and sector representatives carry a great responsibility at this point. Remember that every drop you save from being wasted will return as a lifeblood to our future, our children, nature and all living organisms. Although institutional steps are important, we need a full-fledged campaign in which each of our citizens will contribute at an individual level. Instead of thinking, ‘What can I do?’ let’s ask ourselves, ‘How can I contribute?’. I believe that by facing this challenge together, we can overcome it.”
Explaining that it is possible to save around 100 liters of water per person per day by taking simple measures in water use, First Lady Erdoğan said, “I wholeheartedly believe that every citizen who learns that they can save nearly 35 tons of water per year at home will be the bearer of the campaign.”
Pointing out the importance of the support of local authorities in the “Water Efficiency Campaign” as in the Zero Waste Project, First Lady Erdoğan stated, “With the contributions of our municipalities, our citizens will engage more in the combat against the climate crisis at their home, work or factories. I hope that our local authorities will fully support the Zero Waste and Water Efficiency Campaigns that we have initiated to protect the earth’s trust.”
Pointing out the importance of water in Turkish culture, First Lady Erdoğan stated, “It is a mercy sent down to the earth as a gift from God. This perspective embracing water as a precious treasure, reflects the spirit of the campaign we launched.”
Pointing out that the culture of consumption and waste surrounds the world, First Lady Erdoğan said: “Today, we must touch compunctions by reaching back to our civilization that has cherished the preservation of life. Once we achieve this, saving the 18 litres of water consumed for a water bottle or the 10,700 litres of water consumed for a pair of jeans will become a humanitarian responsibility for all of us. Then we will understand that every drop of water wasted, every item thrown away consume not only the water on the earth, but actually us. I call on all our sensitive citizens who believe that patriotism means protecting even a single drop of water in our country and who are working today to ensure that our future generations are not deprived of a glass of water. Be a drop of water in the Century of Türkiye. With the strength we derive from the proud spread of the Zero Waste movement around the world, I hope that the ‘National Water Efficiency Campaign’ will flourish in our country and proliferate all around the world.”
Turkish Music Research and Promotion Group (TÜMATA) performed a concert at the meeting.
A promotional film about the Water Efficiency Campaign was screened in the event. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vahit Kirişci, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum also delivered their speeches in the program.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kirişci gifted First Lady Erdoğan a painting with a traditional Maraş crafted wire break pitcher figure.
First Lady Erdoğan presented appreciation plaques to the participants who performed good practices in water efficiency.
Minister of Family and Social Services Derya Yanık also participated in the program.