IOM Azerbaijan hosted a closing ceremony for its "Integrated Rural Development for Internally Displaced Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of Kahriz Water Supply System" project

Baku – On 30 April 2024, IOM Azerbaijan hosted a closing ceremony for its “Integrated Rural Development for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of the Kahriz Water Supply System” project, funded by Korea’s International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Amr Taha, IOM Chief of Mission a.i. expressed appreciation to all government and non-government partners for the support over the past 25 years which allowed for the rehabilitation of 200 Kahrizes across Azerbaijan, -33 of which under this project. 

UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Vladanka Andreeva highlighted the importance of this initiatives for downstream countries, adding it contributes to the UN’s cooperation framework 2021-25 and that Kahriz rehabilitation is referenced as a good practice in UN 2.0 map, as “innovation through recovery”. 

Ms Youkyoung Hwang, Representative of the Korean Embassy expressed her gratitude to KOICA, IOM, and all partners, including the significant contributions from various ministries and agencies. 

During her speech she also mentioned that “By rejuvenating the Kahriz water system, we have provided IDP communities not only with access to clean and sustainable water sources but have also empowered these communities towards self-sustainability and economic independence”. 

Government counterparts also underscored the importance of Kahriz rehabilitation not only as a sustainable water management system but also as it aligns with COP 29; and Azerbaijan Presidency’s initiative on water; as well as The Year of Solidarity for a Green World as announced by President Aliev, and the county’s Great Return Programme. 

Community representative, Mr. Samandar Musayev shared stories about the social importance of Kahrizes as a place of gathering for communities to celebrate and commemorate important events, in addition to the cultural heritage value. Ms Sulim Hwang, KOICA Country Director, emphasized the importance of inclusive development enabled through this USD 4,42M grant, and Mr. Mahammad Ibrahimov, IOM Project Assistant shared concrete examples of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach throughout the rehabilitation process. 

The project developed a bilingual national Atlas of Kahrizes in Azerbaijan and corresponding virtual atlas Kahriz Atlas (azkahriz.az); drafted a National Master Plan on Kahriz Revitalization in Azerbaijan; established a Kahriz Research and Information Centre in which Kankans -specialised traditional kahriz labourers which allow the preservation of this dying craft.