From 7 to 13 September 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted the Fourth World Irrigation Forum (WIF4) and the 76th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).
This large-scale event brought together leading international experts in water resources management, irrigation specialists, as well as representatives of governments, international organizations, and financial institutions. The Forum served as a key platform for discussing global challenges and opportunities in water governance and irrigation.
The Forum’s main focus was on sharing knowledge and best practices in policy, technology, and innovation, while also strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and institutional partnerships. Participants actively discussed ways to adapt the irrigation sector to evolving economic and climatic conditions, as well as strategies to ensure its long-term sustainability.
A landmark event for Central Asian countries within WIF4 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. This step marked an important direction in strengthening regional and international cooperation on sustainable water resources management and the restoration of ecosystems affected by the environmental crisis in the Aral Sea region.
The participation of delegations from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan was supported by the Regional programme ‘Green Central Asia, phase II’, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in addressing water management and climate-related challenges.
Special attention at the Forum was also given to promoting women’s participation in the water sector. Women’s leadership and contributions to the development of irrigation and water resources management were emphasized during a series of special sessions and panel discussions. The ‘Women in Breakfast’ initiative created space for women experts from different countries to share their experiences and explore ways to strengthen their role in the sector. These activities contributed to expanding opportunities for women and fostering a more inclusive approach to global water governance.
