The Drought Prevention Institute (DPI), operating under the auspices of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), announced the launch of its official website alongside the publication of its first call for expression of interest on 3 July 2025 to gather high-quality project concepts. This new online platform will serve as a vital hub for information exchange, strengthening DPI’s international partnerships both within the Turkic region and beyond.
The launch event was attended in person and online by ambassadors and diplomats from the Turkic states accredited to Hungary, project directors and staff from the OTS Representative Office in Hungary, as well as colleagues from the OTS Secretariat in Istanbul. The ceremony was officially opened by Ambassador Balázs Hendrich, Executive Director of the OTS Representation Office in Hungary. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hendrich highlighted Hungary’s experience in drought prevention and emphasized the DPI’s mission to build a regional partnership that fosters effective cooperation through project-based collaboration among government, scientific institutions, and the private sector. He also praised DPI's efforts over the past six months, highlighting the professional activities of the member states and the importance of cooperation in achieving common goals.
László Örlős, DPI’s Operations Director, presented an overview of the Institute’s activities and strategic roadmap. He described DPI as a sustainability-focused tool of the OTS established in Budapest, equipped with an efficient decision-making framework and strong integration with international partners and scientific institutions. Mr. Örlős outlined the three pillars of DPI’s recently endorsed strategy: effective collaboration among OTS members to promote sustainability in drought prevention and sustainable agricultural solutions; forging strategic partnerships with global institutions; and enhancing the capacity-building efforts of member states to deal with various aspects of drought with an impact.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of DPI’s first expression of interest call to generate project proposals. Legal entities registered in OTS member states and Hungary are invited to submit projects focused on the OTS region addressing critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, afforestation, drought-resistant crops, water management, drought monitoring systems and sustainable financial solutions. While DPI does not provide direct financial support, it offers valuable technical assistance, facilitates partnership-building, and helps connect promising initiatives with financing opportunities—acting as a catalyst for innovative and effective drought resilience solutions.
DPI encourages all eligible organizations to seize this opportunity to contribute to the technological advancement of the region and to strengthen its resilience against drought—an endeavor that also holds significant potential for business development.