National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

02.04.2026

Vladimir Karanik: Clean water is not only a priceless gift of nature, but also a strategic resource for the state

Clean water is not only a priceless gift of nature and a national treasure, but also a strategic resource for the Belarusian state. This was announced today by Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, at the opening of the IV International Scientific and Practical Conference "New Methods and Technologies in Water Supply and Sanitation."

"We sometimes don't think about the value of such an important resource as water. Thanks to the efforts of the government and many people, our population has access to this resource. But if you think about it, more than a quarter of the planet's population currently lacks access to potable water. By 2050, this figure will double to 50%. This means that in the coming years, half the population will experience serious problems accessing such an important resource as drinking water. This makes it a strategic resource," he said.

Vladimir Karanik also noted that the state and society face a challenging task: on the one hand, ensuring full accessibility to this valuable resource, and on the other, preserving it for future generations.

The IV International Scientific and Practical Conference "New Methods and Technologies in Water Supply and Sanitation" was attended by approximately 140 people from 50 organizations and specialized agencies.