HR: 08:05h
AN: H11H-01 INVITED    [Abstracts]
TI: The International Hydrological Programme of UNESCO
AU: * Tejada-Guibert, J
EM: ja.tejada-guibert@unesco.org
AF: International Hydrological Programme of UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, Paris, 75732 cx15, France
AB: UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the only intergovernmental scientific program of the UN system on freshwater having a global scope. Since its inception in 1975, IHP has been at the forefront of international cooperation on water research and management, bringing together scientists, engineers, policy- makers, managers, and stakeholders. Currently there are over 160 National Committees for the IHP, including the US. During six successive phases, IHP has evolved into a transdisciplinary, action-oriented and policy- relevant program with a strong scientific core responding to the needs of the Member States. This presentation will address the concepts underpinning the strategic plan of the seventh phase of IHP (2008-2013) and the proposed lines of action. Adaptation to the impacts of global changes on river basins and aquifer systems is a theme central to this phase. Global changes associated with climate, demographic factors and modifications in land use, among other factors, can have significant impacts on the hydrological cycle and on water resources. Due to the global character of such changes, its potential interaction with the hydrological cycle, and the transboundary nature of many river basins and aquifers, international cooperation is essential to improve our understanding and to efficiently address the challenges posed to water resources. During IHP-VII, particularly stressed and/or vulnerable areas (i.e. arid and semi-arid regions, the Polar regions, glaciated mountainous, urban areas and coastal regions) will be assessed, with the aim of supporting the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies by Member States and policies based on institutional synergies to diminish stresses on water resources. Strengthening water governance for sustainability is another thematic concentration, emphasizing the need of society to be able to respond adequately to the critical freshwater challenges. Lessons learned from the cross-cutting projects FRIEND (Flow Regimes from International Experimental and Network Data Programme) and HELP (Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy Programme) and the supporting efforts from the network of water-related centers under the auspices of UNESCO, such as the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre (IGRAC) based in The Netherlands and the International Centre for Water and Hazard Risk Management (ICHARM) based in Japan will contribute key elements to the studies. Opportunities for collaboration with the American scientific community will be highlighted.
UR: http://www.unesco.org/water/ihp/
DE: 1655 Water cycles (1836)
DE: 1807 Climate impacts
DE: 1880 Water management (6334)
DE: 1899 General or miscellaneous
DE: 9345 Large bodies of water (e.g., lakes and inland seas) (0746)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting