UNESCO’s International Hydrological

Programme

Prof Dr S. Demuth Hydrological Processes and Climate Section

Division of Water Sciences UNESCO

Paris

The challenge we all have

How to put water in the

minds of people?

The cycle is changing? Increased risks? Growing vulnerability? More disasters ? Less water for people? Crisis is looming? What crisis? Global or local?

InternationalHydrologicalProgramme (IHP)

Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

Water at UNESCO:  Members of the Water Family

• International Hydrological Programme

• UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education: post-graduate education for water professionals

• World Water Assessment Programme:

periodical compilation of the World Water Development Report — three issues so far

• Network of Unesco Water Chairs and Centres (ca. 30 Water Centres)

The International Hydrological Programme (IHP)

Intergovernmental scientific programme on Water Resources of the UN system

• Created in 1975 after the International Hydrological Decade

• Member States define needs and plans of phases

• Growing emphasis on management and social aspects

• Executed by Member States and other partners; UNESCO provides seed money

Transition of IHP’s phases: continuity with change

1990-1995 IHP IVHydrology and Water Resources Sustainable Development

in a Changing Environment

1996-2001 IHP-VHydrology and Water Resources Development

in a Vulnerable Environment

2002-2007 IHP-VIWater Interactions:

Systems at Risk and Social Challenges

2008-2013 IHP-VII Water Dependencies:

Systems under Stress and Societal Responses

• Water dependencies:

• Systems under Stress and Societal Response

INTERDEPENDENCIES

SOCIETALRESPONSES

STRESS

HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE

ECONOMYECOLOGY

CLIMATEGEOLOGY

QUALITY OF LIFE& ECOSYSTEM

SERVICES