The
2nd International Sediment Initiative (ISI) Advisory Board Meeting
was held in Beijing on September 24, 2024, along with a series of academic activities
of the 40th Anniversary of the International Research and Training Center on
Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) during September 23 – 25, which provided an
opportunity to reflect on past achievements and look forward to future
endeavors in the field of erosion and sedimentation research and training.
The
inaugural meeting of the ISI Advisory Board under IHP-IX took place on 23 and
24 April 2024 in Paris, France. The meeting served as a platform to discuss and
finalize the new ISI strategy and its work plan for the implementation of the
new ISI strategy during the IXth phase of IHP. The 2nd meeting focus
on the official nomination of the ISI Advisory Board and further discussion and
implementation of the work plan. About 20 participants attended the meeting,
both in person and on-line, including members of the new ISI Advisory Board,
representatives of the Secretary of the UNESCO – IHP, and the ISI Global
Secretariat (IRTCES).
Chaired
by Dr. Siying Tan, Junior Professional Officer of the UNESCO – IHP, Prof.
Jianli Zhang, Deputy Director of the IRTCES, opened the session and welcome all
participants in person and online. Dr. Koen Verbist, Programme Specialist of
the UNESCO – IHP, presented current ISI Workplan and IHP-IX reporting system.
Prof. Hongling Shi, Deputy Division Chief of the IRTCES, reported the progress
update and proposed activities from IRTCES. Progress
update and proposed activities from the Regional Coordinators and the Thematic
Priority Coordinators were made, including:
Group
I (Western European and North American States): Mr. Ralph Schielen, Utrecht
University & Mr. Thomas Hoffmann, Federal Institute of Hydrology;
Group
II (Eastern European States): Mr. Matja? Miko?, UNESCO Chair on Water-related Disaster
Risk Reduction;
Group
III (Latin American and Caribbean States): Mr. Jose Alberto Zú?iga, University
of Costa Rica (TBC);
Group
IV (Asian and Pacific States): Mr. Zhiwei Li, Wuhan University (in-person);
Group
Va (Africa States): Mr. Omogbemi Omoloju Yaya, UNESCO category 2 centre -
Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (in-person);
Thematic
Priority 1 (Erosion and Sediment Transport and Management): Mr. Thomas
Hoffmann, Federal Institute of Hydrology;
Thematic
Priority 2 (Sediment-related Hazard Management): Mr. Nicola Casagli, UNESCO
Chair on Prevention and Sustainable Management of Geo-Hydrological
Hazards & Mr. Matja? Miko?, UNESCO Chair on Water-related Disaster
Risk Reduction; and
Thematic
Priority 3 (Glacier-related sediment, erosion and hazards management): Mr. Vít
Vilímek, Charles University.
The
Implementation of ISI workplan was discussed, and participants, including Prof.
Cheng Liu, former member of the ISI Advisory Group, provided suggestions on
future ISI activities. Dr. Koen Verbist wrapped up the meeting and the way move
forwards in his closing remarks.