The round table “The Water Problem – a Challenge for Global and Regional Security” was held at the International Security Forum in the Moscow Region
Participants in the round table “The Water Problem – a Challenge for Global and Regional Security” at the International Security Forum in the Moscow Region outlined possible solutions to a number of problems related to water scarcity and irrational water use in the modern world. Experts from Russia, Central Asia, and Africa took part in the event.
The experts discussed four groups of issues: the use of water as a means of economic growth, the development of purification technologies, water use in Central Asia and Africa, and the specifics of interstate cooperation in the use of water resources. As noted by the moderator of the round table, Deputy Director of the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences Stanislav Zhukov, an increasing number of countries around the world are facing a water crisis and a shortage of clean drinking water.
Photo: International Security Forum
Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Abramova spoke about a development by Russian scientists that could help solve the problem of water purification in many countries of the Global South.
"A completely unique technology for sonoplasma water purification has been developed. The technology requires no chemical reagents and produces no waste whatsoever. All that is needed for the system to operate is electricity, and not in large quantities. It can even be supplied by solar panels, which is particularly relevant for Africa. At the same time, the water becomes enriched with nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, peroxides and other active forms. Where can it be used? It can be used directly for water purification. The use of this water in crop production leads to increased yields. In livestock farming, if animals drink this water, biological defence systems improve, mortality decreases and animal weight increases. […] In addition, this technology can be successfully applied in fish farming (reducing fish mortality and accelerating growth) and at poultry farms […] The technology is already being actively used in Russia; it has been tested and undergone trials"
Irina Abramova
Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The expert also noted that the goal of this scientific project is not only to develop an innovative water purification technology but also to formulate a strategy for its implementation, including with regard to the geographical characteristics of different countries.
Participants in the round table emphasised the importance of interstate cooperation in preserving water resources. The countries of Central Asia have found their own way of using water rationally and carefully in the region. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have built mutual support through the exchange of electricity and water. The countries have developed parameters for a new format of water and energy cooperation that reduces the risks of winter electricity shortages and ensures uninterrupted irrigation of agricultural land in spring.
Photo: International Security Forum
Ilkhom Dzhuraev, First Deputy Director of the Agency for the Operation of Water Management Facilities under the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan, spoke in more detail about the application of water-saving technologies in Uzbekistan.
“Uzbekistan pays special attention to expanding the implementation of water-saving technologies in agriculture, which makes it possible to significantly conserve water while simultaneously increasing crop yields. Over the past five years, water-saving technologies have been introduced across a total area of around 2.6 million hectares, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the country’s total irrigated land area and already making it possible to save up to 2 billion cubic metres of water annually. Given the current pace of implementation of water-saving technologies, by 2030 these advanced water supply technologies are expected to cover the entire irrigated area of the republic. […] Great attention is being paid to the digitalisation of the water sector, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of water resource use. Smart meters are being installed at water management facilities, and systems for real-time monitoring of water accounting are being introduced, while water resource management processes are being automated,” Dzhuraev said.
Photo: International Security Forum
Director of the Institute of Applied Sciences of the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Brahima Traore from Mali, drew the participants’ attention to the importance of protecting the Niger River, which flows through five African countries.
“Protection of water resources is extremely important. Preserving the quality of water resources and transboundary waterways such as the Niger River is an important task on the global agenda. For example, in Mali, among other measures to protect the Niger River and its tributaries, a special Niger River Basin Authority was established. […] Water resources are absolutely essential for life. Their protection is ensured through daily monitoring and quality control. However, purification methods and existing laws must be improved so that they correspond to changes in lifestyles, since the emergence of new pollutants and new methods of exploitation creates further threats both to water ecosystems and to humans. The Niger River is a vital artery for millions of people; therefore, its preservation must be a priority,” Traore said.
Photo: International Security Forum
Earlier, in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS at the International Security Forum, Stanislav Zhukov noted that many global environmental projects, including decarbonisation and the transition to green technologies in the energy sector, are directly linked to the economic benefits of countries.
“It is not ideology that prevails, but economic interests, competitiveness and ultimately national interests, which unite the interests of major real-sector companies operating in a given country profitably and competitively,” he explained.
Environmental security became just one of the topics on the extensive agenda of the first International Security Forum. During the forum, held from 26 to 29 May, representatives of more than 140 delegations from over 120 countries visited its venues. Almost all African countries, the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as most countries of the Middle East and Latin America, sent their representatives to the forum.
Photo: International Security Forum
The TV BRICS International Media Network acted as the international media partner of the forum.
