President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree amending the "National Strategy on the Efficient Use of Water Resources," which was originally approved on October 10, 2024. The update aims to optimize the management and evaluation of the country's water supply systems through a redistribution of institutional responsibilities.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the decree modifies the primary executive roles for several key strategic measures. Under the new regulations, the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency has been designated as the lead executing body for the assessment of data using modern software, climate impact forecasting, electronic geo-modeling of water sources, and determining water demand across various ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, which previously held the lead role in these areas, will now serve as a supporting executive body for these specific tasks.
This strategic adjustment comes as Azerbaijan intensifies its efforts to combat water scarcity and improve irrigation efficiency across the Republic. The National Strategy is a comprehensive framework designed to ensure water security through the modernization of infrastructure and the integration of digital monitoring technologies. By centralizing technical assessments under the State Water Resources Agency, the government seeks to streamline the implementation of large-scale projects, particularly in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangazur, where water management is a top priority for regional reconstruction.
