Venue

On October 26, 2025, the International Symposium on Water Science for UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) 50th Anniversary, hosted by NHRI, commenced in Nanjing. Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Coordinator in China, Ms. Elfithri Rahmah, Chief of Capacity Development and Water Family Coordination Section, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO, and Mr. LIU Zhiyu, Director-General of Department of Hydrology, Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) of P. R. China, delivered opening remarks. President DAI Jiqun of NHRI delivered a welcome speech, while Vice President GAO Changsheng presided over the opening ceremony. Around 150 experts and scholars from over 30 countries attended the Symposium in person.

Opening remarks by Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee

Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee expressed his sincere gratitude for the meticulous organization of the Symposium. He noted that UNESCO-IHP was the UN's only intergovernmental program dedicated to water research and management, and that China was an active partner and significant contributor to UNESCO-IHP. He expressed the hope that this Symposium would incorporate more Chinese cases into water science research, transforming exemplary technical practices into models with global demonstrative value.

Opening remarks by Ms. Elfithri Rahmah

In her remarks, Ms. Elfithri Rahmah expressed her appreciation for China's long-term and active participation in various IHP initiatives, as well as the productive collaboration with UNESCO in areas such as water science research, water education and training, and water culture exchange. She looked forward to continuing to work with global colleagues to jointly strive for a water security world.

Opening remarks by Mr. LIU Zhiyu

Mr. Liu Zhiyu stated that China, as an important member of the IHP Governing Council, had always been adhering to the philosophy of Wide Consultation, Joint Contribution and Shared Benefits. He expressed China's willingness to collaborate with various countries and international organizations, guided by the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, to inject new momentum into overcoming global water security challenges and jointly building a brighter future of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

Welcome speech by Mr. DAI Jiqun

Opening ceremony presided over by Mr. GAO Changsheng

On behalf of the sponsor, President. DAI Jiqun extended a sincere welcome to all the distinguished guests and representatives attending this symposium. He presented an overview of the practices and achievements of NHRI in global water cooperation. He expressed the hope that through in-depth exchanges and discussions, the Symposium would further promote theoretical innovation, technological breakthroughs, and policy coordination in hydrological sciences, thereby injecting new momentum into global water security, water governance, and sustainable development, and contributing Chinese wisdom.

The symposium, themed Water Science for a Green and Sustainable Future, featured seven insightful keynote presentations, including Current Status and Prospects of Hydrology High-Quality Development in China by Mr. LIU Zhiyu, Runoff Change & Adaptation on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau by Mr. Zhang Jianyun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Director of the Science and Technology Committee of NHRI, Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme: 50 Years of Advancing Water Sciences and Shaping Science-based Water Policy - Promoting Water Science through Education and Capacity Development by Ms. Elfithri Rahmah, How to Build Flood Resilient Societies? by Mr. Philippe Gourbesville, President of IAHR, Drinking Water, Remembering Its Source - Some Reflections on Water Security in Hong Kong and Macao by Mr. Joseph Hun-wei Lee, President of Macau University of Science and Technology, IHE-Delft's Response to Increasing Need for Capacity Development in the Water Sector by Mr. Eddy Moors, Rector of IHE-Delft, and Water Science and Culture for a Sustainable Future by Mr. Yu Zhongbo, Professor of Hohai University and Rapporteur of UNESCO-IHP. These reports were chaired by Mr. LIU Heng, Senior Advisor of UNIDO, Mr. HAO Zhao, Director-General of the International Economic & Technical Cooperation and Exchange Centre, MWR, Mr. Patrick Peters, Account Manager, Flanders Hydraulic Research Institute, Belgium, and Mr. WANG Zhengbing, Professor with Deltares, the Netherlands.

Publication: A History of Hydrological Observation in China

During the Symposium, the monograph A History of Hydrological Observation in China, instructed by Department of Hydrology of MWR and compiled by NHRI, was officially released. The book provides a systematic review of the evolution of hydrological observation in China from ancient times to the present, illustrating the sector's progression from traditional methods to intelligent solutions and from local to nationwide coverage. It highlights the critical role of hydrological observation in mitigating flood and drought disasters, supporting water resources management, and adapting to climate change.

The Symposium focused on four key topics, namely hydrological observation and experimentation, climate change and hydrological cycle, flood and drought prediction, forecasting and early warning, and water resources and sustainable development. The Symposium featured invited reports by 13 experts from China and abroad, facilitating profound and productive academic dialogues. A landmark outcome, The Nanjing Declaration: Hydrological Foundation for a Sustainable Future, was also produced. This declaration solemnly commemorates IHP's exceptional contributions over the past five decades, consolidates consensus for actions, and commits to jointly strengthening the foundation of hydrological sciences, promoting data openness and sharing, and working together to build a water security world.

The Symposium was co-organized by China National Committee of UNESCO-IHP, International Joint Research Center for Water Science & Engineering, National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Research Center for Climate Change, MWR, Key Laboratory of Flood and Drought Disaster Prevention, MWR, Modern Hydrology Observation and Research Station (Chuzhou, Anhui Province), MWR, Nanjing Research Institute of Hydrology and Water Conservation Automation, MWR, and National Research Institute for Rural Electrification, MWR.