On the morning of 18 October, 2026, a delegation led by Mr. Alex Simalabwi, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Water Partnership Organization (GWPO), visited Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute (NHRI). The delegation included Mr. Atem S. Ramsundersingh, Chairman of GWPO Program Sub- Committee, and Prof. LEE Hongyuan, member of GWPO Nomination Committee. The meeting was attended by DAI Jiqun, President of NHRI, GAO Changsheng, Vice President of NHRI, and XU Zhifeng, Director of National Research Institute for Rural Electrification of the Ministry of Water Resources.

In his welcome remarks, President DAI Jiqun introduced NHRI’s development since its establishment in 1935 and outlined its international cooperation. Mr. Simalabwi reviewed the long-standing cooperation between GWPO and China since 2000 and expressed his expectation of establishing a more formal partnership with NHRI. The two sides also held an in-depth discussion on data analytics and digital twin, the application of artificial intelligence in water resources management, climate change and its response, capacity building, etc. It was agreed that NHRI had developed mature technologies and accumulated substantial experience, laying a solid foundation for cooperation in the above-mentioned areas, and both sides would draw on their respective research strengths and international platforms to advance cooperation and translate it into tangible results through joint research, technology promotion, personnel training, and project coordination. During the meeting, the two sides formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new stage in their cooperation.

Directors from NHRI’s Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, Department of River and Harbor Engineering, Department of Geotechnical Engineering, and International Cooperation Office attended the meeting.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited NHRI History Exhibition Hall.