International Hydrological Programme

The International Hydrological Programme ( often also the International Hydrological Programme, IHP abbreviated ) is a scientific program of action of UNESCO.

Structure of the program

From the International Hydrological Decade of UNESCO, which was scheduled from 1965 to 1974, the IHP was established as a long -term scientific program. Initially strongly aligned technically, the International Hydrological program received with the recognized importance of a socially scientific research in recent years a strong interdisciplinary orientation. The UN wants (eg International Decade for Action "Water - Source of Life " ) to raise awareness for the sustainable use, protection and management of world water resources in their meaning. For this process, the International Hydrological Programme provides important scientific amounts and impulses. In addition, the program has played a leading role in the development of scientific basis for the assessment of global water resources and the creation of the first World Water Report.

The program includes three main elements:

  • The study of the water cycle in a changing environment,
  • The management of water resources with the objective of sustainable development
  • The promotion of appropriate capacity building, especially in the countries of the South ( education and training ).

For the program of UNESCO are even annually about 8.5 million U.S. dollars (budget for 2004/2005 ) are available. The program is largely implemented with additional content contributions of member countries.

The updates on the International Hydrological program are determined by phase programs with defined topics. Theme of the program period 2002-2007 was: "Water Interactions: Systems at Risk and Social Challenges".

Current focus

The treatable with the concept of water security issues ranging from the development of policies on the management of water resources in emergencies through to dealing with water conflicts among competing users and uses and are aimed at a sustainable equitable management of water resources, including physical and social factors. This goal will be achieved through the development of research infrastructures, increased research activity and the effective dissemination of the results among policy makers and planning authorities.

Main focus is the establishment of the water ecology. With her ​​as a methodological basis of both the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems is reduced and the efficiency and sustainability of the water is to be improved. Especially in developing countries, strategies for the efficient management of water and ecosystems in urban areas is of critical importance. New technologies and innovative institutional approaches to water management, which form the basis for the protection and efficient use of water resources should initially be tested in biosphere reserves.

National contributions to the program

The German contribution is managed by a National Committee, the Board has adopted the IHP / HWRP Secretariat at the Federal Institute of Hydrology. The German IHP National Committee interacts with the hosting of international events, the creation of state-of -the-art reports, through publications and participation in international working groups to implement the program. The Austrian contribution is the program hydrology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

In addition to the IHP further long-term UNESCO programs exist for the study and protection of the living environment of human beings. This includes the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC ), the program "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB ) and the International Geoscience Programme ( IGCP ).

Water resource management
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