Professor Yu Zhongbo attended the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Council of IHP

Professor Yu Zhongbo attended the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Council of IHP and was successfully elected as the Rapporteur

The 6th Extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Council of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) took place on 23rd November 2023 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The meeting was attended by all IHP Bureau members. Professor Yu Zhongbo, President of IHP and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention at Hohai University, provided an introduction. In his speech, Professor Yu highlighted that IHP-IX is an ambitious interdisciplinary programme that requires improved collaboration on water security and sustainable development response. He emphasized the need for combined efforts to execute IHP-IX and other related actions that support the shared goal of establishing a water-secured world through science in an ever-changing environment. The significance of IHP's efforts in encouraging multi-level and interdisciplinary debate was emphasised, and optimistic projections were made for persistent and reinforced collaboration to tackle the intricate challenges ahead, with the ultimate objective of ensuring water provision for everyone.

The IHP Council meeting is a crucial event of the preeminent worldwide intergovernmental organization in hydrology, accountable for IHP planning, determining project priorities, and supervising project implementation. The meeting's core agenda was the election of the IHP Executive Board, and the members democratically elected the individuals for the IHP Bureau, Finance Committee, Communication and Outreach Committee, and the Resolution Drafting Committee. Professor Yu Zhongbo has been elected as the Rapporteur, indicating the international hydrological community's acknowledgement and confidence in him.

During the meeting, Professor Yu outlined his accomplishments as president since 2021. These encompassed spearheading the creation of the Strategic Plan for IHP's Ninth Phase (IHP-IX, 2022-2029) and its corresponding implementation roadmap; presiding over the 25th session of the IHP Council, and instigating eight subject-specific working groups to propel the advancement of IHP-IX's implementation. Aligning the planning, implementing, and monitoring frameworks of the flagship initiatives to the new IHP structure and presenting a comprehensive report to the upcoming IHP Council; organizing the World Groundwater Development Report; assisting UN-Water in arranging the UN Groundwater Summit, and contributing to UN-Water's report on groundwater development. Submitted a detailed report to the upcoming IHP Council meeting. Organised the World Groundwater Development Report and provided assistance to UN-Water in orchestrating the UN Groundwater Summit. Additionally, facilitated the release of the UN-Water Joint Statement on Groundwater and the initiation of the Transboundary Waters Co-operation Alliance. Actively organised various high-level international water-related events, including the Ninth World Water Forum, the International Water Conference in Dushanbe, the Fourth Asia Water Summit, and the UN Groundwater Summit. These contributions have played a significant role in major water events, like the Ninth World Water Forum. The UK government has endorsed and participated in various international water conferences such as the Dushanbe International Water Conference, the Fourth Asian Water Summit, the United Nations Groundwater Summit, the World Water Week and the United Nations Water Conference 2023. Furthermore, the government has aided member States in hastening the accomplishment of water-related objectives articulated in the global agenda, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.