D-8 Irrigation Panel was successfully held on 30 September 2013 by the attendance of panellists from Member Countries and also by the participation of policy makers, experts, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private sector on the sideline of the First World Irrigation Forum (WIF-1) in Mardin, Turkey.

On the occasion of the Forum and Panel, Secretary-General of D-8 Organization, Dr. Mousavi had a bilateral meeting with  Mr. Veysel Eroglu, Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs. Facing the growing challenges in the domain of water, the two stressed the significance of cooperation on irrigation, production as well as the management of water. They also discussed further areas of cooperation for the next D-8 Ministerial Meeting on Water. Minister Eroglu emphasized that Turkey is willing to boost D-8 cooperation in all fields related to water.

Dr. Mousavi, for his part, said D-8 needs Turkey’s experience on management of water sources and regulations for achievement of water cooperation. He also expressed that the current panel as well as the D-8 Water Forum that was held in Istanbul before, represent another step further in strengthening and providing an opportunity to build better D-8 water cooperation.

Secretary-General Mousavi was also received by the Governor of Mardin, Mr. Ahmet Cengiz, at his office and they exchanged views on D-8 cooperation in fields of tourism and agriculture. The two interlocutors took this opportunity to strengthen collaboration between Turkey and D-8 and also reviewed the possibilities of holding one of the D-8 Ministerial Meetings in Mardin in future. 

Dr. Mousavi also met with President of Mardin Artuklu University, Prof. Serdar Bedii Omay as a part of his visit to Mardin which concluded in giving a conference lecture in the university. They discussed cooperation in higher education, scientific research and strengthening of academic linkages between the D-8 Member Countries. Afterwards, Secretary-General Mousavi gave a presentation to academicians and students and in his presentation, he focused on the D-8 activities, achievements as well as its challenges. The conference ended by the round of questions asked by the audience at the university.