UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is celebrating 50 years of advancing water sciences and management through international cooperation, and 60 years of commitment to addressing global water challenges. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of IHP and 60 years since UNESCO began its dedication to water sciences.
IHP, UNESCO’s leading water science program, has been crucial in promoting scientific knowledge, technical innovation, and education in water resources management. This anniversary celebrates past achievements while highlighting UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to ensuring water security for future generations, especially in an era marked by environmental change and increasing water demand.
For fifty years, UNESCO’s scientific programs have played a key role in recognizing sustainable water management as a critical global challenge for humanity’s survival. The IHP, which emerged from early research on arid zones in the 1950s, and the International Hydrological Decade (1965), is now the UN’s only intergovernmental program focused on water research, management, education, and capacity development. It helps UNESCO Member States address water challenges while promoting sustainable development.
The WSDAC Center, a member of UNESCO’s Water Family scientific network, participates in the IHP-IX phase and this year, its activities will focus on promoting international cooperation in hydrological science and increasing knowledge about water and climate. With rapid global changes, the development of new methodologies, tools, and data exchange on regional and global levels is essential. Collaboration with scientists from various fields, young researchers, decision-makers, and anyone interested in water science is key to achieving this goal.
On 22 January, an information meeting on the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme was held with the Permanent Delegations. The meeting was streamed, and representatives of the WSDAC Center followed the broadcast.
For more information about Celebration and IHP program please follow the link: https://www.unesco.org/en/ihp/50y
