A Forum Dedicated to World Water Day Was Held at GTU
24-03-2025
As part of the events dedicated to World Water Resources Day, a scientific forum was held at the Georgian Technical University under the auspices of the Faculties of Construction and Mining and Geology, which aims to discuss the challenges in water engineering and ways to overcome them.
The forum was attended by the heads and representatives of the National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission of Georgia, the United Water Supply Company, “Georgian Melioration”, the GTU Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Scientific Research Institute, the companies “Georgian Water and Power”, Enguri HPP, NC Group, College “Spectra”, scientists and researchers of the Georgian Technical University, specialists, and experts.
At the forum, leading specialists discussed the main principles of Georgia’s water policy, legislative frameworks, and measures to improve the country’s water supply and land reclamation systems. They also discussed strategies for sustainable water resource management, innovative technologies, water quality monitoring systems, and international experience in this area.
The following speakers at the forum were Academician Givi Gavardashvili, Director of the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Institute of Water Resources, Revaz Geradze, Head of the Water Department of the State Water Supply Company, Guga Kakabadze, Deputy Director of the United Water Supply Company, Nino Sulkhanishvili -Head of the Integrated Management Systems Department of the “GWP”, Mameli Kobalia, Head of the Water Resources Management, Energy and Relations “Georgian Melioration”, Mirian Kalabegishvili, Expert of Hydrotechnical Structures of the Enguri HPP, Head of the Hydrotechnical and Civil Engineering Department of the State Water Supply Company, Mate Takidze, Director of the College “Spectrum”, and Gocha Museliani, Director of the NC Group.
According to Academician Givi Gavardashvili, this year’s World Water Day theme is saving glaciers. As he noted, climate change and global warming have a significant impact on the melting of glaciers, which in turn poses a threat to water resources and ecosystems.
“Glaciers are one of the most important sources of water resources. Unfortunately, due to climate change and global warming, they are rapidly decreasing. We must develop and implement measures that will slow down these processes, while at the same time providing our country with a stable water supply. Georgia, given its geographical and hydrological features, is rich in water resources, but their rational use and sustainable development are a decisive factor for our future. It is necessary that all water management processes – be it drinking water supply, irrigation systems, or hydropower – be based on scientific research, innovative technologies, and best international practices,” noted Givi Gavardashvili.
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Georgian Technical University, Professor Zurab Gvishiani, with the support of the Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, scientific events dedicated to the World Water Day are held annually at the Georgian Technical University. According to him, the forum’s goal is to discuss the main challenges and ways to overcome them. Also, the forum aims to strengthen cooperation between science and industry in the process of discussing important issues.
“The work of the forum was fruitful. The participants were allowed to discuss topical issues, major challenges, and ways to overcome them. We focused on the threats posed by climate change and melting glaciers, water pollution problems, industrial and agricultural waste management, rational use of water resources and technological innovations, international cooperation and successful experience in leading countries, etc. It is noteworthy that scientists of Georgian Technical University continue to implement important research and projects for the country, which will contribute to the development of sustainable water management in Georgia. We are ready to cooperate with all interested parties to jointly reach the best solutions and, at the same time, promote cooperation between science and industry”, - said Zurab Gvishiani.
At the end of the forum, participants jointly developed recommendations focused on water resource protection, environmental sustainability, and climate change mitigation.
The forum was attended by the heads and representatives of the National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission of Georgia, the United Water Supply Company, “Georgian Melioration”, the GTU Tsotne Mirtskhulava Water Management Scientific Research Institute, the companies “Georgian Water and Power”, Enguri HPP, NC Group, College “Spectra”, scientists and researchers of the Georgian Technical University, specialists, and experts.
At the forum, leading specialists discussed the main principles of Georgia’s water policy, legislative frameworks, and measures to improve the country’s water supply and land reclamation systems. They also discussed strategies for sustainable water resource management, innovative technologies, water quality monitoring systems, and international experience in this area.
The following speakers at the forum were Academician Givi Gavardashvili, Director of the Tsotne Mirtskhulava Institute of Water Resources, Revaz Geradze, Head of the Water Department of the State Water Supply Company, Guga Kakabadze, Deputy Director of the United Water Supply Company, Nino Sulkhanishvili -Head of the Integrated Management Systems Department of the “GWP”, Mameli Kobalia, Head of the Water Resources Management, Energy and Relations “Georgian Melioration”, Mirian Kalabegishvili, Expert of Hydrotechnical Structures of the Enguri HPP, Head of the Hydrotechnical and Civil Engineering Department of the State Water Supply Company, Mate Takidze, Director of the College “Spectrum”, and Gocha Museliani, Director of the NC Group.
According to Academician Givi Gavardashvili, this year’s World Water Day theme is saving glaciers. As he noted, climate change and global warming have a significant impact on the melting of glaciers, which in turn poses a threat to water resources and ecosystems.
“Glaciers are one of the most important sources of water resources. Unfortunately, due to climate change and global warming, they are rapidly decreasing. We must develop and implement measures that will slow down these processes, while at the same time providing our country with a stable water supply. Georgia, given its geographical and hydrological features, is rich in water resources, but their rational use and sustainable development are a decisive factor for our future. It is necessary that all water management processes – be it drinking water supply, irrigation systems, or hydropower – be based on scientific research, innovative technologies, and best international practices,” noted Givi Gavardashvili.
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Georgian Technical University, Professor Zurab Gvishiani, with the support of the Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, scientific events dedicated to the World Water Day are held annually at the Georgian Technical University. According to him, the forum’s goal is to discuss the main challenges and ways to overcome them. Also, the forum aims to strengthen cooperation between science and industry in the process of discussing important issues.
“The work of the forum was fruitful. The participants were allowed to discuss topical issues, major challenges, and ways to overcome them. We focused on the threats posed by climate change and melting glaciers, water pollution problems, industrial and agricultural waste management, rational use of water resources and technological innovations, international cooperation and successful experience in leading countries, etc. It is noteworthy that scientists of Georgian Technical University continue to implement important research and projects for the country, which will contribute to the development of sustainable water management in Georgia. We are ready to cooperate with all interested parties to jointly reach the best solutions and, at the same time, promote cooperation between science and industry”, - said Zurab Gvishiani.
At the end of the forum, participants jointly developed recommendations focused on water resource protection, environmental sustainability, and climate change mitigation.
