The city of Cholpon-Ata, located on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, is hosting the 4th meeting of the agricultural ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The event offers a prominent opportunity for the Budapest-based Drought Prevention Institute (DPI) of the OTS, as László Örlős, the DPI’s Operations Director, presents its ambitious 2025–2026 strategic road map during a session held for the agricultural ministers.
The DPI, operated by HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency as a sustainability instrument of the OTS, aims at increasing the member states’ resilience to the growing threat of drought. Its activities rest on three pillars: deepening cooperation between OTS member states, involving international institutions, and building operational capacities for practical implementation.
A key element of the strategy presented to the ministers is the launch of the Institute’s project application window, offering legal entities operating in OTS member states or in Hungary the opportunity to express their interest through submitting project concepts in areas such as sustainable agriculture, afforestation, water management, early warning systems, and green financing. The goal is to transform high-potential initiatives into feasible, scalable projects, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the region’s resilience. The Expression-of-Interest Call will be made available in the coming weeks at www.dpiots.org.
In his speech, László Örlős emphasized: “Drought is not merely a weather phenomenon—it is a complex challenge threatening the future of agriculture, food security, and rural communities. The Drought Prevention Institute seeks to address this threat through science, regional cooperation, and international partnerships.”
The DPI is operated by HEPA on behalf of the Representation Office of the OTS in Hungary and in cooperation with the OTS secretariat in Istanbul. Its work is also supported by the professional expertise of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE). The Institute’s goal is to become a recognized center of excellence, offering practical and innovative solutions to the region’s sustainability challenges.