The 25th Ordinary session of the Intergovernmental Council of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Pro

From April 26 to 29, 2022, the 25th UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Program (IHP) Council Meeting was successfully held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. More than 30 council members and the United Nations Departments, IHP National Committees, and key partners attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Prof. Zhongbo Yu, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program of UNESCO, Professor of Hohai University, and Director of the State Key Laboratory of Hydrology, Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering Science. This is the first time that a Chinese representative presided over the meeting. Sharmila Nair-Bedouel, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO, attended the meeting and delivered a welcome speech.

UNESCO-IHP is the most important intergovernmental international organization in the field of hydrology in the world today, and the intergovernmental council meeting is the most important activity of the organization. This meeting reviewed the resolutions and decisions adopted at the 24th meeting and the 4th special meeting and their implementation. Introduced the release procedure of the main results of the eighth phase of the UNESCO-IHP strategic plan (IHP-VIII, 2014-2021) to member states. The contribution of Member States and partners to the implementation of the ninth phase of the Strategic Plan (IHP-IX, 2022-2029) as well as the framework of UNESCO-IHP Flagship Programs and Major Initiatives was discussed. Reported on the preparations for the 2023 UN Water Conference. The meeting adopted the flagship planning, implementation and monitoring framework of the UNESCO-IHP initiative and approved the establishment of eight thematic working groups and associated terms of reference to support the implementation of IHP-IX.

Chairman Zhongbo Yu participated in the formulation of the ninth phase of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program strategic plan (IHP-IX, 2022-2029) and its implementation plan, and actively promoted the holding of important meetings of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program. fully affirmed by the country. He called on all member states and the UNESCO water family consisting of UNESCO Category II Centers, IHP National Committees, chairpersons and key partners to continue to work together to formulate reasonable and feasible science-based policies to address complex water resource challenges in a changing environment and improve Capacity development and knowledge reserve, mobilize all resources to fully support the implementation of IHP-IX, and realize the common vision of scientifically building a water-safe world in a changing environment. At the same time, Chairman Yu pointed out that as a scientific and educational program, IHP will be fully committed to contributing to the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 Global Acceleration Framework, the Water Decade and the 2023 United Nations Water Conference.

China has been actively participating in the work of IHP for a long time, and is an active partner and important contributor to IHP. IHP China National Committee was formally established in 1979. Under the framework of IHP, China and UNESCO have carried out fruitful cooperation in the fields of water science research, water education and training, and water culture exchanges. In the future, we will strengthen the cooperation in the implementation of IHP-IX Dialogue and cooperation, around the five priority areas of IHP-IX and eight cross-field thematic working groups, set up Chinese sub-committees in corresponding fields, gather experts to support and participate in the implementation of IHP-IX. China will expand talent training and scientific research cooperation with member states, establish the "Belt and Road" Science and Technology Fund to continue to provide support for member countries' water field talent training and scientific research cooperation, and promote water-related scientific and technological training for young experts to help young talents in the global water field. Skill building. At the same time, it actively organizes international water-related activities to promote international academic exchanges and mutual learning of water civilizations. China will focus on promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, share China's water governance concepts and knowledge and experience with member states, share the results of global water science research and development, and make positive contributions to promoting the realization of the water-related goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.