International Hydrological Programme - UNESCO · IHP/Bur-LII/6 Paris, 2 April 2015 English only...

IHP/Bur-LII/6 Paris, 2 April 2015

English only

International Hydrological Programme

52nd session of the IHP Bureau (Paris, 1-2 June 2015)

INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AT UNESCO

Item 3 of the provisional agenda.

Summary

This document summarizes several institutional and programmatic issues of relevance to IHP, in particular:

Developments at the Natural Sciences Sector and the Division of Water Sciences following the 195th and 196th sessions of the Executive Board, including the preparations for the Programme and Budget for 2016-2017 (38 C/5)

Audit of the governance of IHP

Proposal for the update of the IHP Statutes and of the Rules of Procedure of the IHP Council

IHP-related extrabudgetary activities

Report of the technical meeting of the IHP Bureau members in Merida, Mexico, 13-14 November 2014

Report of the IHP Finance Committee

Report of the IHP Communication and Outreach Committee

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO water programmes Actions expected by the Bureau: 3.1. To take note of recent institutional developments. 3.2. To consider the observations of the External Auditor in the planning of the 22nd

session of the IHP Council and address a reply providing clarifications. 3.3. To propose the adoption of changes to IHP Statutes and Rules of Procedure at

the 22nd session of the IHP Council. 3.4. To take note of IHP-related extrabudgetary activities. 3.5. To adopt the report of the technical meeting of the IHP Bureau members in

Merida, Mexico, 13-14 November 2014. 3.6. To take note of the report of the IHP Finance Committee and encourage

National Committees in their regions and partners to further strengthen the support of IHP.

3.7. To take note of the report of the IHP Communication and Outreach Committee and encourage National Committees in their regions and partners to further strengthen the support of IHP for communication and outreach.

3.8. To encourage the active participation of IHP National Committees in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO water programmes and support the creation of a dedicated interactive webpage.

IHP/Bur-LII/6 Page 1

DEVELOPMENTS AT THE NATURAL SCIENCES SECTOR AND THE DIVISION OF WATER SCIENCES FOLLOWING THE 195TH AND 196TH SESSIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, INCLUDING THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR 2016-2017 (38 C/5) (Agenda item 3.1) 1. This document summarizes issues of relevance to UNESCO’s water programmes in connection with the 195th (15 to 31 October 2014) and 196th (8 to 23 April 2015) sessions of the Executive Board, and in particular with the preparations for UNESCO’s 38 C/5 Programme and Budget. At the time of preparation of this document, the 196th session of the Executive Board (8 to 23 April 2015) has not taken place and the report relies on the documents available.

Decisions of the 195th session of the Executive Board

2. At the 195th session of the Executive Board, an action plan for the celebration of UNESCO’s 70th anniversary was presented. This anniversary takes place at the same time as the negotiations at the UNGA for the post-2015 development agenda, which offers an opportunity to revisit UNESCO’s orientations and programmes for the next decade. As highlighted by the report of the Open Working Group (OWG) of the UNGA on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), attention to be paid to freshwater and sanitation is to be reinforced, which allows delineating contributions expected from UNESCO in this field during the anniversary. In addition, it coincides with the 50th anniversary of water at UNESCO, which includes celebrations at UNESCO Headquarters.

3. The preparatory group’s report of the 195th session highlighted that the scope of the Division of Water Sciences has been reduced. IHP was complimented for improving the cost-effectiveness of its last Council meeting, for improving its visibility, as well as for the working group’s achievements on the monitoring framework. The representative of the Director-General expressed concern that the IHP Council cost had been cut possibly to suboptimal levels, as it was difficult to address new agenda items, such as regional activities and Category 2 Centres. It was highlighted that IHP is understaffed and efforts were under way to use specialists from SC and other UNESCO staff to improve the Programme’s visibility.

4. A summary of the evaluation of IHP-VII was also presented, and reference was made to WWAP’s upcoming evaluation. UNESCO-IHE’s functioning, governance and financial reporting were presented in the audit report on the governance and financial reporting of UNESCO Category 1 Institutes. Uncertainties about the consolidation of UNESCO-IHE’s accounts were highlighted. As the new IPSAS 6 standard could be issued in early 2015, the External Auditor decided to postpone his conclusion pending its release. The External Auditor called for clarification regarding the form of cooperation between UNESCO-IHE and IHP.

196th session of the Executive Board

5. The documents available for the 196th session provide details on UNESCO’s participation in the preparations for a post-2015 development agenda (196 EX/8). UNESCO, as part of UN Water, has been involved in the Global Expanded Water Monitoring Initiative to develop indicators to measure progress towards the proposed targets under SDG 6 on water, as well as a roadmap for their implementation with relevant monitoring mechanisms.

6. Regarding the follow-up to decisions and resolutions adopted by Governing Bodies at their previous sessions, attention is turned to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and a decision is proposed to ensure their inclusion in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda, especially in the formulation of goals with respect to freshwater. The annual report of the Internal Oversight Service has also been submitted, which presents


IHP-VII’s evaluation and indicates that the IHP Secretariat provided a management response and an action plan to be followed up by IOS. Proposals were also made by Member States to associate UNESCO to anniversaries taking place in 2016-2017, among which the 200th anniversary of the birth of Francisco de Albear, water engineer, in 2016 in Cuba.

Preparations for the 38 C/5

7. The 38 C/5 drafts include IHP within Major Programme II (MPII - Natural Sciences), main line of action (MLA) 6 “Strengthening freshwater security” and present two expected results (ERs): ER10 “Responses to local, regional and global water security challenges strengthened” and ER11 “Knowledge, innovation, policies and human and institutional capacities for water security strengthened through improved international cooperation”. Six performance indicators have been developed for ER10, with nine associated targets with correspondence to the IHP-VIII themes and the priority focal-areas identified in the Nairobi meeting of the Working Group for the implementation of IHP-VIII. In addition, five performance indicators have been developed for ER11, with six associated targets, related to the governance of IHP and UNESCO’s water network. A number of expected results, performance indicators and targets for Natural Sciences are also associated to the Global Priority for Gender Equality and for Africa.

8. Concerning the proposed budget, draft 38 C/5 presents an allocation of $15,355,200 to the freshwater MLA 6, corresponding to a zero-nominal growth scenario, which corresponds to a 1.8% increase compared to 37 C/5, with an operational budget of $4,825,200 (31,4%) and a staff budget of 10,530,000 (68,6%). In that scenario, the budget for the freshwater MLA under the $507M envelope corresponds to a total of $12,450,100, including an operational budget of $3,846,500 (30,9% for programme activities, support costs and common charges) and a staff budget of $8,603,600 (69,1%, for programme and administrative staff). Under the $507M envelope, the total proposed budget for MLA 6 presents a 2.6% decrease in comparison with 37 C/5.

Developments at the Natural Sciences Sector and Division of Water Sciences

9. In 1 October 2014, Ms Flavia Schlegel assumed her duties as Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences Sector, replacing Ms Wendy Watson-Wright. Three sections are currently operational within the Division of Water Sciences: Section on Hydrological Systems and Water Scarcity (SC/HYD/HSS), Section on Groundwater Systems and Settlements (SC/HYD/GSS) and Section on Ecohydrology, Water Quality and Water Education (SC/HYD/EQE), in addition to the Office of the Director and the WWAP Secretariat. Regarding its staffing, the Division currently counts with 1 D1 post, 8 professionals posts and 5 assistants posts, including vacant positions and excluding extrabudgetary posts and secondments. One assistant has retired since the last Council session, with this post hold for possible abolishment. Three staff members (two professionals and one assistant) are scheduled for retirement during the course of this year.

The Bureau may wish to take note of recent institutional developments. AUDIT OF THE GOVERNANCE OF IHP (Agenda item 3.2) 10. The 37th General Conference of UNESCO in November 2013 acknowledged the need to optimize the governance of intergovernmental programmes, committees and conventions and decided to carry out a critical review of governance expanded to include the whole of UNESCO, the Organization itself and all attached funds, programmes, and entities. All governing bodies, intergovernmental programmes, committees and organs established by conventions were invited to perform a self-assessment, covering the overall relevance of


their work in relation to their specific terms of reference, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of their meetings, including the impact and utility of experts’ time. The UNESCO External Auditor was thus invited to facilitate the self-assessment of governing bodies, by delivering a common assessment framework covering the relevant issues. 11. In July 2014 the UNESCO External Auditor provided a self-assessment questionnaire to the Chairperson of the IHP Intergovernmental Council and requested him to complete it in consultation with other IHP Bureau members. Based on the discussions that took place during the 21st session of the Intergovernmental Council of IHP in July 2014, the Chairperson requested the IHP Secretariat to circulate the questionnaire among Member States of the IHP Intergovernmental Council to compile inputs for the discussions of the Bureau on this item. In September 2014, the Chairperson made consultations with all IHP Bureau members on the proposed reply to the UNESCO External Auditor considering the comments received from Council members. On 12 September 2014 the Chairperson submitted the IHP self-assessment questionnaire and complementary documents to the UNESCO External Auditor and these documents were facilitated to Bureau members. The Chairperson presented the principal outcomes of the IHP self-assessment at the Technical Meeting of IHP Bureau Members in Merida, Mexico, on 13 November 2014. During this meeting, the Chairperson called on Secretariat to prepare proposals to improve the functioning of the IHP Council, including revision options of IHP Statutes and Rules of Procedure of the IHP Council, for submission to the next session of the Bureau in June 2015. 12. The UNESCO External Auditor then reported on the outcomes of all governing bodies self-assessments in January 2015. It is expected that an interim report will be published for the UNESCO Executive Board in the spring of 2015, and the final report for the 38th General Conference of UNESCO in the autumn of 2015. The observations of the External Auditor were sent to the IHP Secretariat and the Chairperson in February 2015, who then sent their comments back to the External Auditor. The observations highlighted the need to more promptly take into account recommendations regarding IHP’s governance formulated in audit and evaluation reports and to follow-up on them more rigorously as governance reforms have been too-long delayed. It was observed that the duration of Council sessions was too short in relation with the size of the Council, with its 36 members, and that the number of Bureau members was too low, all of which had an impact on efficiency, but that the implementation working group could be valuable in ensuring inter-session work progress. It was also recommended that elected representatives of governing bodies have high-level political, scientific or technical water-related profiles and that Member States should be better informed regarding planning, extra-budgetary resources, budget, evaluation, partnerships and scientific information. Uploading resolutions online the same day they are adopted and sending background information to meeting participants longer in advance for them to be able to prepare meetings were also highlighted as ways of optimizing information. Finally, it was recommended to organize synergies during concomitant meetings of governing bodies at Headquarters or avoid that their sessions overlap. The Bureau may wish to consider the observations of the External Auditor in the planning of the 22nd session of the IHP Council and address a reply providing clarifications. PROPOSAL FOR THE UPDATE OF THE IHP STATUTES AND OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE IHP COUNCIL (Agenda item 3.3) 13. As a follow-up to a decision of the members of the IHP Bureau and the points identified during the audit of the governance of the intergovernmental programmes of UNESCO, this item includes suggested changes to the Statutes and to the Rules of


Procedure of the IHP Council. These changes consist on suggestions for: (1) the update of outdated information in the provisions, (2) the clarification of ambiguous provisions and of inconsistent numbering, and (3) the adoption of new procedures. The below proposal includes the proposed amendments directly in the text, in bold, with removed text marked with strikethrough and additions underlined. A short explanation for each suggested change is presented in footnotes. The changes, if any, endorsed by the IHP Bureau at its 52nd session will be then transmitted to the IHP Council at its 22nd session (2016) for their consideration and eventual approval. Changes on the Rules of Procedure that are compatible with the existing version of the Statutes, can be immediately applicable to the 22nd session of the Council if the Council decides so. The suggested revised Statutes will then be proposed to the Governing Bodies of UNESCO, for eventual approval at the 39th session of the General Conference (2017). The fully revised Rules of Procedure will then be proposed to the 23rd session of the IHP Council (2018). The Bureau may wish to propose the adoption of changes in IHP Statutes and Rules of Procedure at the 22nd session of the IHP Council.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS – STATUTES OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAMME

Article I An Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme is hereby established within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Article II

1. The Council shall be composed of 36 Member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization elected by the General Conference at its ordinary sessions, taking due account of the need to ensure equitable geographical distribution and appropriate rotation of the representatives of these States from the hydrological viewpoint in the various continents 1 and of the importance of their scientific and policy advice 2 contribution to the Programme. The composition of the Council shall aim at gender equality as far as possible, in accordance with UNESCO’s global priority, with a commitment to promote equality between women and men across the Organization.3

2. The term of office of the members of the Council shall begin at the close of the ordinary session of the General Conference at which they are elected and shall expire at the close of the second ordinary session of the Conference following it.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2 above, the term of office of one half of the members designated at the first election shall expire at the close of the first ordinary session of the General Conference following the session at which they were elected. The names of these members shall be drawn by lot after the first election by the President of the General Conference, it being understood that the outgoing members shall be replaced by members belonging to the same regional group.

4. Members of the Council shall be immediately eligible for re-election. 5. The Council may make recommendations concerning its own membership to the

General Conference. 6. The persons appointed by the Member States as their representatives on the Council

shall preferably be experts in the field covered by the Programme and chosen among

1 This provision is ambiguous and hard to implement. It is therefore proposed for deletion.

2 It is proposed to update the terminology of this provision to take into account the importance of policy advice from the representatives.

3 It is proposed to add this provision to implement UNESCO’s Gender Mainstreaming Implementation Framework

for gender equality. The objective is to improve the representation of women within the Council.


those persons who are playing a major part in the implementation of the activities related to the Programme in the said Member States. They shall also preferably not be a staff member of a category 1 or 2 Institution or Centre.4

Article III 1. The Council shall be responsible, within UNESCO’s field of competence, for planning

the International Hydrological Programme, defining its priorities and supervising its execution and in particular for: (a) guiding and supervising from the scientific and from the organizational point of

view the implementation of the programme, including the allocation of its budget5 and relevant activities of the Field Regional Offices 6;

(b) studying proposals concerning developments and modifications of the Programme and also plans for its implementation;

(c) recommending scientific projects of interest to Member States and assessing priorities among such projects;

(d) co-ordinating international co-operation of the Member States in the framework of the programme;

(e) making any necessary proposals for co-ordinating the Programme with those conducted by all the international organizations concerned;

(f) assisting in the development of regional and national projects related to the Programme;

(g) taking any practical or scientific measures that may be required for the successful implementation of the programme.

2. In performing its functions the Council shall rely as much as possible on the activities of the National Committees established by Member States in accordance with the recommendation contained in paragraph 6 of resolution 18 C/2.232 and foster by all means their active participation on the Programme.

3. The Council shall make full use of facilities offered by the agreements or working arrangements between UNESCO, category 1 and 2 water-related Institutes and Centres, UNESCO Chairs,7 and other inter-governmental organizations mentioned in Article VIII, paragraph 2 below.

4. The Council may consult on scientific questions all appropriate international non-governmental organizations with which UNESCO maintains official relations.

The International Council of Scientific Unions, its unions and associations, may give advice to the Council on questions of a scientific or technical nature.8

5. The Council shall, whenever possible, attempt to co-ordinate the International Hydrological Programme with other international scientific programmes, in particular those of UNESCO.

Article IV 1. The Council shall normally meet in plenary session once every two years.

Extraordinary sessions may be convened under the conditions specified in the Rules of Procedure.

2. Each Council member shall have one vote, but it may send as many experts or advisers as it deems necessary to sessions of the Council.

4 This provision is proposed in order to avoid possible conflicts of interest related to the supervisory role of the Council and the endorsement or renewal of Institutes and Centres.

5 It is proposed to update the terminology of this provision to include the allocation of the budget.

6 It is proposed to update the terminology of this provision to take into account UNESCO’s Field.

7 It is proposed to add Category 1 and 2 water-related Institutes and Centres, as well as UNESCO Chairs to this provision for more clarity.

8 The involvement of the ICSU is already foreseen in the first sentence, and therefore, does not need to be specified. In addition, its name was changed from “International Council of Scientific Unions” into “International Council for Science”.


3. The Council shall adopt its own Rules of Procedure. Article V 1. The Council may establish committees to examine the implementation of certain

major orientations of the Programme and to prepare appropriate recommendations to the Council. Such committees may include Member States of UNESCO which are not represented in the Council.

2. The Council shall define the terms of reference and tenure of each committee thus established.

3. The Council may establish working groups of specialists to examine specific projects. These working groups, whose members shall serve in a personal capacity, may include nationals of Member States of UNESCO which are not represented on the Council.

4. In the composition of committees and working groups appropriate geographical distribution and adequate representation of regions where the problems occur might be sought.

Article VI 1. Regional committees may be established on the initiative of and by mutual

agreement among Member States of the same region sharing a common hydrological interest.

2. The Council shall extend all possible assistance and help to regional committees thus established.

Article VII 1. At the beginning of its first session following a session of the General Conference at which elections to the Council have been held, the Council shall elect a chairperson and four vice-chairpersons. These, with the chairperson of the previous Bureau, who shall be an ex-officio member, shall constitute the Council’s Bureau and will remain in office as vice-chairperson for an additional term.9 The composition of the Bureau so formed shall reflect an equitable geographical distribution. The members of the Bureau who are representatives of Member States of UNESCO shall remain in office until a new Bureau has been elected. If the chairperson ceases to represent a State Member of the Council or is so incapacitated that he/she can no longer hold office, he/she shall be replaced as defined in the Rules of Procedures of the Intergovernmental Council for the unexpired portion of the term of office.10 2. The Bureau shall discharge the following duties:

(a) fix, in consultation with the Secretariat, the dates and locations11 of the Sessions of the Council and of its committees and working groups, in accordance with the general guidelines of the Council 12;

(b) prepare the sessions of the Council, in consultation with the Secretariat; (c) supervise the implementation of the resolutions of the Council, and report at

each session of the Council, on the status of implementation of the prescribed

9 The following revision is proposed to add clarity.

10 In 2007, following a change in government in Nigeria, Mr Shagari, Minister of Water Resources, discontinued his functions as Chairperson and the Africa region had no representation in the Bureau until a new Bureau was formed. This provision is proposed for revision to adapt to the possibility of vacancies due to the incapacity of a Bureau Member to hold office. The replacement procedure should be specified in the Rules of Procedure of the Council.

11 It is proposed that the Bureau can also select the venues of the Sessions, allowing greater flexibility to the

organization of the Council. 12

It is proposed to delete the end of the provision for more clarity.


phases of project execution and, in particular, follow the activities of the Council’s committees and working groups;

(d) prepare for the Council all reports requested by the General Conference of UNESCO;

(e) discharge all other duties which it may be assigned by the Council, including the submission of proposals and reports to the Governing Bodies of UNESCO and to the Director-General.13

3. Meetings of the Bureau may be convened between meetings of the Council at the request of the Council itself, of the Director-General of UNESCO or of a Bureau member.

Article VIII 1. Representatives of Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO which are

not members of the Council, of water-related Centres and Institutes under the auspices of UNESCO and of UNESCO Chairs 14 may attend, as observers, without the right to vote, all meetings of the Council, of its committees and of its working groups.

[2. Representatives of the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency may take part, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Council, of its committees and of its working groups. This includes particular actors under the above-stated organizations, such as UNESCO-IHE, the World Water Assessment Programme, UN-Water.]

[3. Representatives of the International Council of Scientific Unions, of its Committee on Water Research and of its affiliated International Association of the Hydrological Sciences and International Association of Hydrologists, of the International Association for Hydraulic Research, of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, the International Commission of Large Dams and of the International Water Resources Association , of the International Association of Academies of Sciences, of the International Hydropower Association, and of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research may take part, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Council, of its committees and of its working groups.]15

2. The Council shall determine the conditions under which other international governmental or non-governmental organizations may be invited to attend its meetings, without the right to vote, whenever questions of common interest are discussed.16

Article IX 1. The Secretariat of the Council shall be provided by the Director-General of United

Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, who shall place at the Council’s disposal the staff and other means required for its operation.

2. The Secretariat shall provide the necessary services for all sessions of the Council and meetings of its Bureau, committees and working groups.

13

It is proposed to add this sentence to the provision for more clarity. 14

It is proposed to include UNESCO water-related Centres and UNESCO Chairs. 15

Due to frequent changes in the names of the various associations and commissions, which would render the provision regularly outdated, it is proposed that the Council can define in its Rules of Procedure who should be invited to participate in its sessions, as stipulated in Article IX.4. It is therefore proposed to delete it from the Statutes.

16 Due to the revision and deletion of the previous provision, the numbering is changed accordingly.


3. The Secretariat shall take any measures required in order to co-ordinate the execution of the international programmes recommended by the Council, it shall take all steps required to convene the sessions of the Council.

4. The Secretariat shall assemble all proposals sent in by members of the Council, other Member States of UNESCO and the international organizations concerned, with regard to the formulation of the strategic plans for the implementation of the IHP and of other 17 international projects under the Programme, and shall prepare them for examination by the Council. It shall maintain liaison with the National Committees referred to in Article III, paragraph 2 above, and inform them of the Council’s recommendations.

In addition to the services which it renders to the Council, the Secretariat shall co-operate closely with the respective secretariats of the international governmental and non-governmental organizations mentioned in Article VIII, paragraphs 2 and 3, above; it shall for this purpose take part in inter-secretariat co-ordination meetings as necessary.

5. The Secretariat shall report or coordinate the report of all UNESCO activities on water.18

Article X 1. The international programmes of hydrological investigations recommended by the

Council to Member States for concerted action on their part shall be financed by the participating Member States according to the commitments which each state is willing to make. The Council may, however make recommendations to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and to the other organizations mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of the IHP Council19 Article VIII, paragraph 2, above, concerning assistance to Member States for the development of hydrological research or the implementation of some particular aspects of the Programme. If UNESCO and the said organizations accept such activities and if the Member States concerned signify their agreement, these organizations shall undertake to finance the related activities in accordance with the provisions of their respective constitutions and regulations.

2. Member States shall bear the expense of participation of their representatives in sessions of the Council and its committees. The running expenses of the Council and its subsidiary organs shall be financed from funds appropriated for this purpose by the General Conference of UNESCO.

3. Voluntary contributions may be accepted and established as special accounts trust funds 20 in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and administered by the Director-General of that Organization. The Council shall make recommendations to the Director-General on the allocation of such contributions for international projects within the Programme.

Article XI 1. The Council shall submit reports on its activities to the General Conference of

UNESCO at each of its ordinary sessions. These reports shall also be communicated to the other organizations designated in the Rules of Procedure of the Council

17

It is proposed to revise this provision to include a direct reference to the strategic plans of IHP. 18

The revision is proposed for more efficiency. 19

It is proposed to revise this reference, as the previously referred paragraph is proposed for deletion and is proposed instead for inclusion in the Rules of Procedure.

20 It is proposed to revise the terminology of the provision as the term “trust funds” should be replaced by “special accounts”. It should be noted that Special accounts imply PSC (Project support costs of 10% ).


Article VIII, paragraphs 2 and 3, above,21 to all National Committees for the International Hydrological Programme, water-related Centres under the auspices of UNESCO and UNESCO Chairs.

2. The Council may receive from other international organizations reports concerning the Programme.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS - RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL OF

THE INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAMME I. MEMBERSHIP22

1. The Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme (hereinafter

called the “Council”) is composed of 36 Member States of UNESCO, elected by the General Conference in accordance with Article II of the Statutes of the Council.

2. Each State member of the Council shall notify the Secretariat of UNESCO of the names of the designated representatives as well as of the advisers and experts, at least one month before the beginning of each session.23

3. Each state Member is requested to observe gender balance among its designated representatives in line with UNESCO’s Gender Mainstreaming Implementation Framework for gender equality.

II. SESSIONS 1. Date and Place

1. The first session of the Council shall be convened by the Director-General of UNESCO. The place and date of that session shall be communicated in advance to all interested Member States and organizations. 24

a. Other The sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Secretariat of the Council in accordance with the instructions of the Bureau of the Council (hereinafter called “the Bureau”).25

b. The Council shall normally meet at the Headquarters of UNESCO. It may meet elsewhere if so decided by a majority of the members. a quorum of the Bureau, provided that it does not imply additional costs to the regular budget of UNESCO.26

III. AGENDA 1. Provisional agenda (1) The provisional agenda of the first session of the Council shall be prepared by

the Director-General of UNESCO. 27

21

It is proposed to revise this provision to adapt to the deletion of provision 2 and 3 of Article VIII, proposed for inclusion in the Rules of Procedure.

22 Due to numbering problems, it is proposed to revise the numbering of the document. Such changes will not be shown in track-changes for more clarity, but the new numbering should be taken into account when comparing the versions of the Rules of Procedure.

23 It is proposed to add this deadline to the provision for more clarity and efficiency.

24 This provision is proposed to deletion, as it is no longer necessary.

25 It is proposed that the sessions of the Bureau should be convened by the Secretariat.

26 It is proposed to revise this provision, to refer to the precise term of ‘quorum’ as used in Article IX of the Rules of Procedure.

27 This provision is proposed to deletion, as it is no longer necessary.


a. The provisional agenda of the following 28 sessions of the Council shall be prepared by the Secretariat of the Council in consultation with the members of the Bureau.

b. The provisional agenda shall be communicated to the members of the Council at least two months before the opening of each session.

c. The provisional agenda shall be communicated at the same time to Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO which are not members of the Council, as well as to the United Nations, FAO, WHO, WMO, the IAEA and ICSU International Intergovernmental Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations as listed in rule V.3.29

d. The provisional agenda of a session of the Council shall include: all items previously decided by the Council; all items proposed by Member States of the Council; all items proposed by the United Nations or by its agencies; all items proposed by the Director-General of UNESCO.

2. Adoption of the agenda At the beginning of each session, the Council shall adopt the agenda for that session.

3. Amendments, deletions and new items

The Council may, during a session, modify the order of items of the agenda or add or delete items. A majority of two-thirds shall be required for the addition or deletion of items during a session.

IV. OFFICERS

1. Election of chairperson and vice-chairpersons a. At the beginning of its first session, following a session of the General

Conference at which elections to the Council have been held, the Council shall elect a chairperson and four vice-chairpersons. These, with the chairperson of the previous Bureau, who shall be an ex-officio member remaining in office as vice-chairperson for his/her respective electoral group for one additional term 30, shall constitute the Council’s Bureau. The composition of the Bureau so formed shall reflect an equitable geographical distribution and, to the extent possible, gender equity31.The members of the Bureau who are representatives of Member States of UNESCO shall remain in office until a new Bureau has been elected. If the chairperson ceases to represent a State Member of the Council or is so incapacitated that he/she can no longer hold office, he/she shall be replaced by a person nominated by the subsequent Council Member of the same region of the departing person, in alphabetical order of the country.32

b. Members of the Bureau are eligible for re-election.

2. General powers of the chairperson a. In addition to exercising the powers conferred upon him/her elsewhere by these

rules, the chairperson shall have the following powers: He/she shall declare the opening and closing of meetings, direct the discussions ensure the observance of

28

The following revision is proposed as to the terminology of the provision. 29

It is proposed to revise this provision to adapt to the proposed addition of Rule V.3 below. 30

This provision is coming from Article VII 1. of the Statutes of the IHP Council. It is therefore proposed to revise

it accordingly, should the Statutes of the IHP be revised on that point. 31

It is proposed to add this provision to implement UNESCO’s Gender Mainstreaming Implementation Framework for gender equality. The objective is to improve the representation of women within the Council.

32 The revision of this provision is proposed to maintain adequate geographic representation in the Bureau. The Rules of Procedure implicitly foresee that the vice-chairpersons are elected intuitu personae and therefore do

no foresee a mechanism for replacing vice-chairpersons. It is proposed to amend this provision to foresee, for example, that only the Chairperson and not the vice-chairpersons are elected intuitu personae.


these rules, accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. He/she shall rule on points of order and subject to these rules shall control the proceedings and maintenance of order.

b. If the chairperson ceases to represent a State member of the Council or is so incapacitated that he/she can no longer hold office, a vice-chairperson elected by the Bureau members shall become chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term of office. If such vice-chairperson also ceases to represent a State member of the Council or is so incapacitated that he/she can no longer hold office, another vice-chairperson shall become chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term of office.

3. Functions of the vice-chairpersons

In the absence of the chairperson during a session his functions shall be exercised in turn by the vice-chairpersons. V. COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

1. Committees a. Committees set up by the Council in accordance with Article V, paragraphs 1 and

2, of the Statutes of the Council shall meet in accordance with the decisions of the Council or of the Bureau.

b. These committees shall elect their own chairperson, vice-chairpersons and, if necessary, their own rapporteur.

c. These rules of procedure shall also apply to meetings of committees unless the Council decides otherwise.

2. Working groups

a. Working groups set up by the Council in accordance with Article V, paragraphs 3

and 4, of the Statutes of the Council shall meet in accordance with the decisions of the Council or the Bureau.

b. These working groups shall elect their own chairperson, vice-chairpersons and if necessary their own rapporteur.

3. Observers The council can decide to invite other actors as observers to all meetings of the Council, of its Committees and of its working groups, meaning that:

a. Representatives of the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency may take part, without the right to vote, in all meetings of the Council, of its committees and of its working groups. This includes particular actors under the above-stated organizations, UNESCO-IHE, the World Water Assessment Programme and UN-Water.

b. Representatives of the International Council of Scientific Unions, of its Committee on Water Research and of its affiliated International Association of the Hydrological Sciences and International Association of Hydrologists, of the International Association for Hydraulic Research, of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, the International Commission of Large Dams and of the International Water Resources Association , of the International Association of Academies of Sciences, of the International Hydropower Association, and of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research may take part, without the right to


vote, in all meetings of the Council, of its committees and of its working groups. 33

VI. SECRETARIAT

1. Secretariat a. The Director-General shall place at the disposal of the Council such members of

the Secretariat of UNESCO as may be necessary as well as other means required for its operation.

b. The Director-General or his/her representative may make oral as well as written statements to the Council, its committees and working groups and to the Bureau concerning any question under consideration.

VII. LANGUAGES

1. Working languages English, French, Spanish and, Russian, Arabic and Chinese34 shall be the working languages of the Council.35

2. Use of other languages Any representative may make a speech in a language other than the working languages currently in use for a particular session of the Council or of a Committee on the condition that he/she provides at least 1 hour before his presentation a text for the interpretation of his/her speech translated into one or other of the said working languages.36

VIII. REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS

1. Reports a. The Secretariat shall submit a report to each session of the Council. b. The Council shall submit reports on its activities to each ordinary session of the

General Conference of UNESCO. c. Copies of these reports shall be circulated by the Director-General of UNESCO in

accordance with Article XI of the Statutes of the Council.

2. Working Documents The working documents of each session of the Council shall, as a rule, be communicated to the members one two and a half months before the opening of each session in the working languages of the Council as specified in the above-stated Rule VII.37 IX. MEETINGS

1. Quorum a. A simple majority of the States which are members of the Council shall constitute

a quorum. b. At meetings of subsidiary bodies of the Council a quorum shall be constituted by

a simple majority of the States which are members of the Council and which are members of the body in question.

33

It is proposed to insert these provisions into the Rules of Procedure and deleted from Article VIII of the Statutes for more clarity.

34 It is to be noted that this proposed revision will involve additional costs for UNESCO.

35 The following revision is proposed to be consistent with Item 9.1 [article 2.4 (e)(i)] of the UNESCO Administrative Manual.

36 The following revisions are proposed to add clarity.

37 The following revision is proposed to be consistent with Chapter 8 of the UNESCO Administrative Manual.


2. Publicity of meetings All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public unless the Council decides otherwise. X. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

1. Right to speak Experts and observers may, with the authorization of the chairperson, make oral or written statements before the Council and its committees.

2. Order of speeches The chairperson shall call upon speakers in the order in which they have expressed the desire to speak, starting by the Members of the Council and following by observers.38

3. Time limit on speeches The Council may limit the time to be allowed to each speaker.

4. Points of order During the discussion on any matter, a representative may at any time raise a point of order and the point of order shall be forthwith decided by the chairperson. Any representative may appeal against the ruling of the chairperson, which can only be overruled by a majority of the members present and voting. A representative may not, in raising a point of order, speak on the substance of the matter under discussion.

5. Suspension, adjournment, closure Any representative may, at any time, propose the suspension, adjournment or closure of a meeting or of a debate. Such a motion shall be put to the vote immediately. The order of priority39 of such motions shall be as follows:

a. suspension of the meeting; b. adjournment of the meeting; c. adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion; d. closure of the debate on the item under discussion.

XI. VOTING

1. Voting rights Each Member State which is a member of the council shall have one vote.

2. Simple majority a. Unless otherwise provided in these rules, decisions shall be taken by a simple

majority of members present and voting. b. For the purpose of these rules, the phrase “members present and voting” means

members casting an affirmative or negative vote. Members who abstain from voting are considered as not voting.

3. Show of hands and roll call

Voting shall normally be by show of hands, except that any member may request a roll call. The vote and abstention of each member participating in the roll call shall be inserted in the report.

4. Voting on amendments a. When an amendment to a proposal is moved, the amendment shall be voted on

first.

38

The following revision is proposed to add clarity. 39

The following revision is proposed to add clarity.


b. When two or more amendments to a proposal are moved, the Council shall first vote on the amendment deemed by the chairperson to be the furthest removed from the original proposal and then on the amendment next furthest therefrom, and so on, until all amendments have been put to a vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be voted on. If no amendment is adopted, the proposal shall be put to the vote in its original form.

c. A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it adds to, deletes from or revises part of that proposal.

5. Secret ballot 40

a. All elections shall be decided by secret ballot unless, in the absence of objections, the Council decides otherwise.

b. Before the voting begins, the Chairperson shall appoint two tellers to scrutinize the votes cast.

c. When the counting of the votes is completed and the tellers have reported to the Chairperson, he/she shall announce the results of the ballot bearing in mind that the voting will be recorded as follows:

i. From the total number of Members of the Council will be deducted: 1st. the number of Members absent, if any; 2nd.the number of blank ballots, if any; 3rd.the number of invalid ballots, if any.

ii. The remaining number will constitute the number of votes cast. The majority required will be more than half that number.

iii. Those receiving a number of votes in favor, equal or superior to the majority required shall be declared elected.

d. When a single elective place is to be filled, any candidate obtaining in the first ballot an absolute majority (i.e. more than half) of the votes cast shall be declared elected.

e. If no candidate obtains absolute majority in the first ballot, a second ballot shall be taken, restricted to the two candidates who obtained the most votes in the first ballot. The candidate obtaining a majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected.

f. When two or more elective places are to be filled at one time under the same condition, those candidates obtaining in the first ballot an absolute majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. If the number of candidates obtaining such a majority is less than the number of places to be filled, there shall be additional ballots to fill the remaining places, the voting being restricted to the candidates obtaining the greatest number of votes in the previous ballot, to a number not exceeding twice the number of places remaining to be filled.

g. If necessary, in order to determine the candidates to participate in a restricted ballot, an eliminating ballot may be taken restricted to the candidates having obtained the same number of votes in the previous ballot.

h. If, in the final ballot or an eliminating ballot, two or more candidates obtain the same number of votes, the Chairperson shall decide between them by drawing lots.

6. Equally divided votes

If a vote is equally divided on matters other than elections, the proposal shall be registered as rejected.

40

As amended by the IHP Council at its 14th

session (June 2000)


XII. SPECIAL PROCEDURES

1. Special consultation by correspondence Should the approval of the Council be required for measures of exceptional urgency and importance while the Council is not in session, the chairperson may, by means of the Secretariat, consult the members by correspondence or electronic means.41 The proposed measures shall be adopted if it is approved by two thirds of the members. XIII. AMENDMENT

1. Amendment These rules of procedure, except where they reproduce provisions of the Council Statutes or decisions of the General Conference, may be amended by a decision of the Council taken by a simple majority of the members present and voting, provided the proposal for amendment has been placed on the agenda.

2. Suspension Suspension of any of these rules shall require a two-thirds majority of the members The Bureau may wish to propose the adoption of changes to the IHP Statutes and Rules of Procedure at the 22nd session of the IHP Council. IHP-RELATED EXTRABUDGETARY ACTIVITIES (Agenda item 3.4) 14. IHP extrabudgetary activities and projects are summarized below, representing a total of approximately USD $ 41,967,000 over the different executing periods (not limited to the June 2014 to June 2015 reporting period). Out of 42 projects, 9 were fully implemented at the end of March 2015 (for about USD $ 3 million), while 33 are ongoing (representing an amount of about USD$ 39 million). Among the major donors to IHP (excluding Institutes and Centres) are the European Union (EU), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Japan and Switzerland. Project Funding Agency Implementing/

Executing Agency

Amount (USD)

Period

Strategic Strengthening of Flood Warning and Management Capacity of Pakistan

Japan - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Headquarters and UNESCO Jakarta Office

3,659,990 2011 July - 2015 February

Strengthening Resilience of Coastal and Small Island Communities towards Hydro-meteorological Hazards and Climate Change Impacts (StResCom)

Japan - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

UNESCO Jakarta Office

637,476 2010 July - 2015 January

Addressing Water Security: Climate Impacts and Adaptation Responses in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean

Belgium - Government of Flanders

IHP 459,500 2014 May - 2017 May

41

The following revision is proposed to update the provision with additional means of communication.


Project Funding Agency Implementing/ Executing Agency

Amount (USD)

Period

The impact of glacier retreat in the Andes: International Multidisciplinary Network for Adaptation Strategies


IHP 440,000 2012 February - 2013 December

FLOODIS- Integrating GMES Emergency Services with satellite navigation and communication for establishing a flood information service

European Union (EU) - Directorate General for Research and Innovation

UNESCO Office in Venice

273,126 2013 October - 2015 June

African Drought Early Warning System Expansion to Southern Africa

Sweden - Sida IHP 261,498 2014 November - 2017 November

Development of an Integrated National Framework for Drought Risk Management (DRM) in Iraq

UNDP - MPTF UNESCO Office in Baghdad

215,001 2011 September - 2015 January

IncREO_Increasing Resilience through Earth Observation

European Union (EU) - Directorate General for Research and Innovation

UNESCO Office in Venice

185,395 2013 January - 2015 January

Climate Change impacts on water resources and adaptation policies in the mountainous regions - Outreach activity and roundtable discussion


IHP 25,000 2013 June - 2014 November

Implementation Support: National Learning Strategy on Climate Change in Indonesia

UNITAR UNESCO Office in Jakarta

16,950 2013 June - 2015 January

ASHRI-2 Advanced Survey of Hydrogeological Resources in Iraq - Phase II

European Union (EU) UNESCO Office for Iraq

6,784,260 2013 October - 2016 April

Groundwater Resources Governance in Transboundary Aquifers

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

IHP (Implementing Agency)

2,505,330 2013 May - 2015 December

Protection and Sustainable Use of the Dinaric Karst Aquifer System (DIKTAS)

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

UNDP (Implementing) IHP (Executing)

2,160,000 2010 October - 2015 May

Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem - Regional Component: Implementation of agreed actions for the protection of the environmental resources of the Mediterranean Sea


UNEP (Implementing) IHP (Executing Partner)

1,770,000 2009 November - 2015 December

Capacity Building and Groundwater Resources Exploration for Emergency Situations to Combat Drought in the Horn of Africa


UNESCO Liaison Office in Addis Ababa

1,550,000 2012 April - 2015 January



Amount (USD)

Period

A Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme: Aquifers, Lake/River Basins, Large Marine Ecosystems, and Open Ocean to Catalyze Sound Environmental Management


UNEP (Implementing) IHP and IOC (Executing Partners)

1,500,000 2010 January - 2015 June

Improving available information and drilling success rate at Afar Regional State Government

UNICEF IHP, under the lead of UNESCO Liaison Office in Addis Ababa

591,283 2013 August - 2015 March

GEF IW:LEARN – Strengthening IW Portfolio Delivery and Impact Components on Groundwater


UNDP and UNEP (Implementing) UNOPS (Executing) IHP (Executing Partner)

525,000 2011 June - 2015 March

Capacity building and groundwater resources exploration for emergency situation to combat drought in the Horn of Africa


UNESCO Liaison Office in Addis Ababa

396,000 2012 January - 2015 January

Emerging Pollutants in Wastewater Reuse

Sweden - Sida IHP 527,415 2014 November - 2018 November

Secondment of the Flemish Government Assistant Programme Specialist for implementation of the Water Resources Management project in LAC


IHP 474,394 2012 May - 2015 December

Managing Water Resources in Arid and Semi Arid Regions of Latin America and Caribbean (MWAR - LAC )


IHP 341,002 2012 July - 2015 December

Strengthening of Local Capacities for Climate Change Adaptation and Water Resources Management at the Huascaran National Park, Peru

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

UNESCO Office in Lima

180,000 2014 July - 2016 June

Coping with Water Scarcity in the Arab Region

Multi-donor special account

UNESCO Office in Cairo

125,000 2014 August - 2015 December

Development of Studies on Water Resources and Basic Sanitation Regulation and Institutional Organization of ADASA

Brazil UNESCO Office in Brasilia

3,774,721 2009 June - 2016 December

Upscaling water security to meet local, regional, and global challenges

Malaysia UNESCO Jakarta Office

476,219 2014 July - 2016 June



Amount (USD)

Period

Ecological and Eco-hydrological Solutions for Sustainable Management in Indonesia and Asia Pacific Region

Indonesia UNESCO Jakarta Office

475,000 2014 July - 2015 December

South-South cooperation to strengthen the integrated management and sustainable use of water resources in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)

Brazil UNESCO Office in Brasilia

2,906,891 2014 January - 2016 December

Framework Programme of Education and Training for Water (FET-WATER Phase II)


IHP, under the lead of UNESCO Windhoek Office

1,041,700 2006 June - 2014 August

"Enhancement of environmental awareness targeting effective water and wetlands ecosystems management of the Volga delta: a demonstration project on sustainable development" and its follow-up titled "Towards enhanced knowledge of the Volga river basin ecosystem"

Coca-Cola Foundation

UNESCO Office in Moscow

513,000 2006 November - 2015 January

Knowledge based and capacity building on water resources within the framework of One UN in Rwanda

UNDP - MPTF UNESCO Office in Nairobi

239,751 2008 May - 2015 February

Enhanced capacity building and governance for the sustainable management of freshwater

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

IHP 200,000 2014 August - 2016 August

Water Education to Implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

Japan IHP 170,397 2011 September - 2015 March

International Hydrological Programme - Water Interoperability Networks f or Global Change Adaptation (WINGA - ASPAC)

Japan - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

UNESCO Jakarta Office

1,035,216 2009 September - 2015 September

The Bureau may wish to take note of IHP-related extrabudgetary activities.

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL MEETING OF THE IHP BUREAU MEMBERS (Agenda item 3.5) 15. Members of the IHP Bureau gathered for a technical meeting in Merida, Mexico, on 13-14 November 2014, during which the importance of continuing the follow-up to the decisions of the 21st session of the IHP Council and the 51st session of the IHP Bureau was


highlighted. This meeting was made possible thanks to the support of CONAGUA and ANEAS. A detailed final report of the technical meeting of the members of the IHP Bureau in Merida, Mexico, 13-14 November 2014 was prepared and circulated among the IHP Bureau members (see IHP/Bur/Technical-Meeting/2014/3). The conclusions of the meeting are presented below, following the respective agenda items. Financial Support to IHP 16. The Chairperson of the IHP Finance Committee highlighted the importance of establishing a multi-donor Trust Fund for IHP, and appointing a professional fundraiser for the Programme. He expressed the need for detailed information on funding in relation with thematic areas and the intention to avoid micromanagement; the need to improve future reporting by separating outputs and results achieved in different documents, suggesting a 4-year reporting period; the need for discussion on the financial reporting methodology of IHP’s flagship programmes; the need for IHP to optimize the use of the water-related Category 2 Centres network in its strategy, which calls for investigating on the cost of those Centres to UNESCO and contracting a professional at IHP to manage and coordinate the network. The Chairperson then called for Member States to provide additional support to specific initiatives and programmes to address IHP’s financial and staff constraints and Bureau members suggested defining the UNESCO Water Network, its membership, collaboration and representation. Follow-up to the Evaluation of IHP-VII 17. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee highlighted the need to improve communication strategies by developing a communication platform and using social networks to raise IHP’s visibility. He also mentioned that Category 2 Centres could report to IHP instead of reporting to BSP. The possibility of creating a Water Network logo to be used by all the members of the family was also discussed and the Chairperson of IHP agreed on the establishment of a programme of sabbaticals at the Secretariat, to be supported with funds by CONAGUA. Audit of the Governance of UNESCO’s International Scientific Programmes 18. The Chairperson pointed out that IHP Council sessions should allow for longer debates and exchanges. He also noted the need to update and improve IHP Statutes and Rules of Procedure of the IHP Council and consequently called on Secretariat to prepare proposals to improve the functioning of the IHP Council, including revision options of the mentioned documents, for submission to the next session of the Bureau. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee also underscored the importance of the implementation working group to ensure efficiency between Council sessions and called for the simplification of reporting data collection from Category 2 Centres. Vice-Chairpersons also asked to improve the online access and visibility of IHP Bureau and Council results, so they are better reachable to all Member States. Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the IHP and IHD 19. Bureau members chose an anniversary logo, out of several proposals received by IHP through an open call, and the Chairperson highlighted the importance of the anniversary book, fully financed by the Mexican Government, to present the legacy of IHP. It was also encouraged to use social media to promote the book towards the youth, in addition to connecting the celebrations to the 2015 World Water Day and creating dedicated postal stamps. IHP at the 7th World Water Forum 20. The Chairperson highlighted the importance of strengthening links with other organizations and international events, in particular the 7th World Water Forum and the World Water Council (WWC), by building additional bridges and promoting synergies. The


WWC Representative also requested support from the Secretariat to promote IHP’s anniversary within the Forum. Working Group on Appropriate Technology on Use and Water Management of Rural Development in Suburbs Areas 21. Vice-Chairpersons supported the initiative and requested information to expand it to some of their regions but also encouraged it to take into account the work already done by UNESCO. IHP Reponses to Regional Water Challenges 22. Bureau members presented regional water issues and highlighted the need to share information and exchange data for decision-making through the set-up of a specific platform. The need to increase and institutionally strengthen the network of UNESCO Centres and Chairs was also mentioned. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee also supported the idea of organizing a high-level panel at the 7th World Water Forum. Proposal for “Water Futures and Change” (Scientific Panel Project) at UNESCO 23. The “Water Futures and Change”, later renamed into “Water Futures and Sustainability”, project proposal was presented by the Chairperson as a valuable tool to strengthen the science-policy interface, and by the Secretary of IHP as an opportunity to increase IHP’s visibility and strengthen its leading role on water. The Chairperson requested the Secretariat to submit a detailed proposal to the Bureau members in advance of COP21, for the creation of a Panel on Water. It was requested to focus on creating concrete outputs for water to be positioned on the climate change agenda. Proposal for a Regional Centre on Water Security as a Category 2 Centre under the Auspices of UNESCO in Mexico 24. The proposal to establish a Category 2 Centre in Mexico, aimed at interdisciplinary scientific collaboration to address water security and provide regional cooperation, received unanimous support from Bureau members, who agreed to formally endorse it without debate at the 52nd session of the Bureau. IHP and the Post-2015 Agenda 25. It was suggested to send an information letter to Member States regarding water in the post-2015 agenda, in order to clarify the concept of “water security” and highlight the need to address this concept in the context of COP21. Follow-up to the International Year of Water Cooperation 26. The IHP Secretariat highlighted that over one thousand activities and contributions were reported worldwide in the context of the International Year of Water Cooperation, with an estimated reach of 20 million people. The Bureau may wish to adopt the report of the technical meeting of the IHP Bureau members in Merida, Mexico, 13-14 November 2014. REPORT OF THE IHP FINANCE COMMITTEE (Agenda item 3.6) 27. The report of the IHP Finance Committee will be directly presented by the Committee during the Bureau session. The Bureau may wish to take note of the report of the IHP Finance Committee and encourage National Committees in their respective regions and partners to further strengthen the support of IHP.


REPORT OF THE IHP COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE (Agenda item 3.7) 28. The report of the IHP Communication and Outreach Committee will be directly presented by the Committee during the Bureau session. The Bureau may wish to take note of the report of the IHP Communication and Outreach Committee and encourage National Committees in their respective regions and partners to further strengthen the support of IHP for communication and outreach. THE CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNESCO WATER PROGRAMMES (Agenda item 3.8) 29. Events dedicated to the IHP and IHD anniversary (e.g. Conferences or side events)

Title Location Dates Notes

Water Security and Sustainable Development: Co-operation among Disciplines and Stakeholders: a tribute to 50 years of Water at UNESCO

Daegu, Republic of Korea

16 April 2015

UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) will organize a High Level Panel session in collaboration with K-Water Institute on the occasion of the 7

th World Water Forum in Korea. The

session aims to emphasize the importance of co-operation among disciplines and connect scientific findings into the social, economic and political processes systems to address water security challenges and provide feedback mechanisms for upcoming Sustainable Development Goals.

UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP): Challenges and Opportunities

Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

April 15, 2015

Side Event organized by the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA) at 7

th World Water Forum

2015

Presentation of the Mexico’s official postage stamp in the occasion of the 40 Anniversary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO


April 15, 2015

Side Event organized by the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA) at 7

th World Water Forum

2015

Presentation of the Mexico’s official postage stamp in the occasion of the 40 Anniversary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO

Paris, France TBC (July 2015)

--

Presentation of Commemorative anniversary special publication "50 years of

Paris, France TBC (July 2015)

Book published with the kind contribution of the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA)



the UNESCO water programmes IHD & IHP",

50 Years, 50 Movies Paris, France June to December 2015

A compilation of 50 movies related with water, most of which produced by or with connection with IHP

UNESCO Water Network meeting

Istanbul, Turkey Final Quarter of 2015

-

Side event at the 38th

General Conference of UNESCO

Paris, France TBC Presentation of Commemorative anniversary special publication "50 years of the UNESCO water programmes IHD & IHP",

30. Events in contribution to the anniversary (including publications)


50 years of Hydrogeological Mapping Report on Mapping Activities under the Auspices of UNESCO-IHP, CGMW, IAH and BGR

Already published, to be labelled “50 years of IHP”

This report provides an overview of the various hydrogeological and hydrological mapping activities conducted mostly under UNESCO’s leadership for nearly half a century with several scientific partners. The report also calls for greater attention to a number of water-related issues, including the need for sustainable groundwater resources management.

Map of Global Groundwater Vulnerability to Floods and Droughts

Already published, to be labelled “50 years of IHP”

The Map is the result of a joint effort of the projects "Groundwater for Emergency Situations" (GWES) and the "World-wide Hydrogeological Mapping and Assessment Programme" (WHYMAP). GWES is UNESCO-IHP project aiming at providing best practices and guidelines to identify and adequately manage potentially safe groundwater resources with low vulnerability that could be used in emergency situations due to extreme events (natural and man-induced) that adversely impact human health and life.

Inception meeting - Addressing water security: climate impacts and adaptation responses in Africa, Asia and Americas

Paris, France 10-11 February 2015

The aim of this inception meeting was to develop a global knowledge forum on water security, building on already established knowledge, connections and networks. This event was developed in partnership with UNESCO category 2 Centres, IHP national with the support of the Flanders Trust Fund for Science. Technical recommendations were prepared during the meeting.



Anniversary of UNESCO Water programmes

Almaty, Kazakhstan

8 April 2015 UNESCO Almaty office in cooperation with the IHP National Committee of Kazakhstan will organize a round table (within which the WWDR2015 will be also launched). Significant water management issues will be discussed also in consideration to the constrains that limit the ability to obtain information on the status of water resources from other agencies and from neighbouring countries

World Youth Parliament for Water Organized by International Secretariat for Water (ISW)


5-11 April Youth will reflect on the ideal world in terms of water and sanitation 50 years from now, aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of IHP in UNESCO. Moreover, the youth will define a concrete action plan to be implemented during the next 3 years, which they will promote during the WWF7.

5th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Hydrology and Ecology and Ecology

Vienna 13-16 April

Water Messengers – WWF7 IHP in collaboration with International Secretariat for Water (ISW)

Daegu, Republic of Korea

13-15 April

The booth of Water Messengers will exhibit messages on subject pertaining to the importance of the water given by Internet users. Moreover, the campaign, which includes the UNESCO-IHP messages, will receive contributions during the Forum by recording visitors’ message concerning the next 50 years of water.The material produced will reach out to the decision makers that will meet in September 2015 in NY during the UN General Assembly in order to promote a dedicated goal for water.

Groundwater Vulnerability - From Scientific Concept to Practical Application, organized by the Polish National Chapter of IAH and other partners in cooperation with UNESCO-IHP

Ustroń spa, Poland

25-29 May

IWRA XVth World Water Congress

Edinburgh, Scotland

25-29 May

International Exhibition Hydrogaïa

Montpellier, France

End of May 2015

The UNESCO Chair SIMEV (Membranes Applied to the Environment) will organize a one day event devoted to "Water issues in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia . Potential applications of membrane technologies".



Groundwater and Climate Change (GRAPHIC network)

UNESCO HQ, Paris

June, TBC

ISARM Americas Book IV: Regional strategy for the assessment and management of Transboundary aquifer systems in the Americas

Paris, France July 2015 (TBC)

This IV publication within the ISARM Americas series seeks to emphasise the importance of generating knowledge about the status, conservation, use and supply of groundwater resources of Transboundary Aquifer Systems, in order to ensure generation of guidelines for aquifers management.

High level panel: ‘Water Security and Sustainable Development: co-operation among disciplines’

Paris, France July 2015 (TBC)

The proposed high level panel aims to connect scientific findings into the social, economic and political systems to address water security challenges for sustainable development. The French Water Partnership, the France Delegation to UNESCO and the French Foreign Ministry are partners of this panel. This conference will contribute to the preparation of COP 21 in France, in December 2015.

1st Iberoamerican Congress on Sediments and Ecology

Querétaro, Mexico

22-25 July 2015

The congress will be an instance for reflection, discussion and exchange of knowledge and research on environmental processes and effects related to sediment from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is organised by the IHP- LAC ISI programme. It also foresees a young people session, where undergraduate, postgraduate and post doctorate students will discuss the results of their research.

3rd ChinAfrica Water

Forum conference

University of

the Western Cape in Cape

Town

17-19 August 2015

Event conducted by the UNESCO Chair in Geohydrology, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

Sessions on “Transboundary Aquifers cooperation” organized by IHP jointly with several partners

Stockholm, Sweden

23-28 August 2015

AQUA 2015 - 42nd IAH Congress Organized in partnership with IHP

Rome, Italy 13-18 September

UNESCO Chair Meeting (German chairs, neighbouring countries and related) under the headline “Open Education Resources”

Aachen, RWTH Aachen University Guest House “Haus Königshügel”

8-9 October 2015

Organised by the UNESCO Chair in Hydrological Change and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.



Series of events in conjunction with the 23

rd

IHP RSC SEAP to commemorate the 50

th

anniversary

Mandalay, Myanmar

October 2015

In conjunction with the 23rd IHP Regional Steering Committee for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and the International Conference on Integrated Management of Droughts and Floods for Water Security

Water and Megacities Organized in partnership with IHP during the Paris 2015 Climate Conference (COP21)

UNESCO HQ, Paris

December 1-4

Sixth International Groundwater Conference - IGWC-2015 Organized in partnership with IHP and the support of UNESCO Bangkok

Chennai, India

December 9-11

International training course on water security, erosion and sedimentation

Beijing, China TBC The International Research and Training Centre on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES), category 2 Centre (China Ministry of Water Resources) in Beijing, China, will host the course in the context of International Sedimentation Initiative, with support from UNESCO SC/HYD and Beijing Office.

Edition and printing of the book: “Urban Water of the Americas”, January 2015 UNESCO-IHP / Water Programme of the Interamerican Network of Academies of Sciences-IANAS)

TBC (LAC region)

TBC This publication pursues to highlight water in urban areas with the purpose of drawing more attention to the particular issues of water management and to contribute to knowledge and possible solutions for the increasingly complex demands of cities. It will treat major urban water policy issues of strategic importance – at both national and regional scales and will present official information validated by the Academies of Sciences participating in the publication. It targets governments, policy-makers and those with interests in urban water supplies and their management.



Special celebration event on the Anniversary in the framework of the XI Meeting of IHP National Committees and Focal Points of Latin America and the Caribbean

Chile TBC Every two years the IHP-LAC organizes its regional meeting that convenes IHP National Committees and Focal Points, programme coordinators, regional water projects and partner institutions as an instance to exchange on the major achievements of the period and to plan the coming actions to be developed in the framework of the Programme. It is also an opportunity to discuss on relevant issues for the region as this meeting gathers the key water sector actors and decision makers of the of the region. Organized by the Chilean IHP National Committee.

Promotion of water cooperation and the 92 Water Convention, in the framework of the Cooperation agreement between IHP and UNECE

Different locations (Beirut, Amman, already held, others tbc)

TBC UNESCO and UNECE are currently undertaking joint activities in order to promote the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) and its Model Provisions on Transboundary Groundwaters. The Water convention aims to protect and ensure the quantity, quality and sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation.

The Bureau may wish to encourage the active participation of IHP National Committees in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO water programmes and contribute to the creation of a dedicated interactive webpage.

Date post:	10-Mar-2020
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