Hungarian water expertise, international partnerships: connecting the Carpathian Basin and beyond

Water connects countries and calls for shared solutions. This was the central theme of the Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP) workshop held on 9 October 2026 at HUNGEXPO in Budapest, as part of ENVIRONTEC powered by ÖKOINDUSTRIA.

In his presentation, Dr. Károly Kovács, President of HWP, introduced the partnership’s activities, members and international water cooperation initiatives. He highlighted professional relationships across Europe, Africa and Asia, supported by the experience of HWP members in more than 100 significant international water projects. This track record provides a strong foundation for new partnerships that connect Hungarian expertise with local needs.

The panel brought together complementary perspectives on water sector cooperation. The roles of the invited participants suggest several important themes for regional and international collaboration.

For Balázs Hendrich, Executive Director of the Hungarian Representation Office of the Organization of Turkic States and Chairman of the Board of the Drought Prevention Institute, drought preparedness and international knowledge exchange are natural priorities. Géza Csörnyei’s role on the Steering Committee of the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) points to cooperation between utilities, professional training and the sharing of operational experience.

The perspectives of Igor Bodík, President of Slovakia’s AČE SR, and Zsolt Marossy, International Relations Officer of the Romanian Water Association, highlight the practical foundations of regional partnerships: connecting professional networks, identifying shared challenges and creating opportunities for joint initiatives. Branislava Lekić’s academic and research role at the University of Belgrade adds another essential dimension, translating research into practical solutions and preparing the next generation of water professionals.

Moderated by Dr. Kovács, the workshop reflected HWP’s commitment to turning professional connections into practical cooperation. By making expertise accessible, encouraging exchanges between partners and supporting the transfer of good practices, HWP works to ensure that successful solutions can bring lasting benefits beyond the places where they were first developed. This shared learning can strengthen water security and sustainable water management across the Carpathian Basin and beyond.