UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme holed its 50th anniversary from 1013 June 2025, with panel discussions and performances at UNESCO HQ in Paris.

Water science and management are key pillars of UNESCO’s mandate for sustainable development, covering vital aspects of human wellbeing and environmental protection. UNESCO’s broad approach spans areas such as groundwater assessment and drought monitoring, supporting improved water resource management at local and transboundary levels. UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the main vehicle for addressing today’s water challenges, drawing on a wide network of experts and specialized centres.

As the United Nations' sole intergovernmental programme dedicated to water research and management, IHP facilitates international cooperation on water-related challenges. Following its establishment in 1975, subsequent to the International Hydrological Decade, the programme has undergone significant evolution, transitioning from a focused hydrological science initiative to a comprehensive, integrated, and transdisciplinary water sciences programme. The programme's operational framework encompasses 29 water-related Centres, 93 UNESCO water-related Chairs, and 170 National Committees and 17 Flagship Initiatives, facilitating effective knowledge transfer between scientific research and practical implementation.

Audrey Azoulay, DirectorGeneral of UNESCO, and others attended the highlevel event and delivered opening remarks. Leaders from relevant UN agencies, more than 10 national ministries, presidents of international organizations, members of the UNESCO water family, and members of the global water science community attended the meeting. Mr. Liu Zhiyu, Director General of the Department of Hydrology of the Ministry of Water Resources, Prof. Peng Jing, Director of the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation, President of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research attended the meeting.

In the opening session, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, and Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the common water challenges facing the globe, stressing the important role of UNESCO IHP as a platform for solving water issues and advancing the water-related goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, and discussing future water development strategies and cooperation. The Ministerial Roundtable was held on the theme of Water.

The theme of the Ministerial Round Table was “Water Science: For Life, Prosperity and Peace”. Ministerial guests and delegates made presentations on the important role of UNESCO IHP in the field of water and the relevant water strategies in their countries.

The conference presented the UNESCO IHP LongTerm Outstanding Contribution Award, and the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation, as the first UNESCO category 2 center in the world, received the award.