In a rare and large meeting of minds, media leaders across the Middle East came together with parliamentarians, government officials, former ministers and water experts in Istanbul with a call for action to transform the Blue Peace framework into a reality of trans-boundary water cooperation in the region. They said that there is no correct political moment and urged action without waiting for an opportune time. There was a consensus to begin with little actions, which would grow with systematic efforts. As the first step, the media leaders decided to form the Middle East Blue Peace Media Network in partnership with Strategic Foresight Group to take the message of water cooperation to decision makers as well as common citizens.

The conference was addressed by HRH Princess Sumaya bint el Hassan of Jordan and attended by about 65 participants from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Palestine Territories, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain and external experts from Danube River Basin, Rhine Commission, Bangladesh, Egypt and UK. The Government of Turkey, Sweden and Switzerland were represented by high officials and diplomats.