On June 11, the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of IHP and 60 Years of Water Sciences at UNESCO opened in Paris, France. Professor Yu Zhongbo from Hohai University, serving as a Special Envoy to UNESCO-IHP, attended as a distinguished guest the Water Science for Life, Prosperity and Peace Ministerial Conference, The Future of Water High-level Panel, and the Strategic Vision for the Water Family High-level Dialogue and joined the discussions on transboundary water governance in the context of climate change.
During the activities, Professor Yu received the UNESCO IHP Award for Outstanding Long-term Contributions, recognizing his exceptional achievements in water sciences and his distinguished contributions to the IHP.
In the "Strategic Vision for the Water Family" High-level Dialogue, Professor Yu summarized the latest implementation progress of the IHP-IX Strategic Plan (2022-2029), outlined directions for further strengthening water science and education initiatives, called for enhanced cooperation on water security and sustainable development, and urged concerted efforts to implement IHP-IX and other related actions.
Throughout the celebration, Professor Yu participated in multiple side events commemorating IHP's 50th anniversary, where he presented the activities conducted in recent years in scientific innovation, education, cooperation, and exchange, along with their outcomes and emphasized the importance of cultivating young talent and building leadership capacity.
UNESCO IHP is the main vehicle for addressing today's water challenges. The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of IHP and 60 years of UNESCO's dedication to water sciences. As the United Nations' sole intergovernmental programme dedicated to water research and management, IHP facilitates international cooperation on water-related challenges.
