A Seminar on Global Climate Change and Water Resources was held in the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) on April 17, 2009. It is one of activities of IRTCES Silver Jubilee celebration. Dr. A. Szöllösi-Nagy, Deputy Assistant Director General of UNESCO, and Dr. WANG Hao, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, were invited to make presentations in the seminar. Dr. R. Jayakumar, Programme Specialist for Science, Technology and Environment of UNESCO Office Beijing; Mr. Jin Hai, Division, Chief of Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology of Ministry of Water Resources, P. R. China (MWR), and Mr. Zhang Jianxin of Chinese National Committee for the IHP participated in the seminar. About 100 officials, experts, engineers and students from the MWR, UNESCO, Chinese National Committee for the IHP, IRTCES, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Tsinghua University and Beijing Forestry University etc. attended the seminar. Prof. Hu Chunhong, Secretary-General and Deputy Director of IRTCES gave a welcome speech and chaired the seminar.

In Dr. Szöllösi-Nagy’s presentation “Global change impacts, including those of climate change on water resources”, he mentioned that climate change is effecting our environment, our societies and our cultures. These changes we face are due to various drivers e.g. population growth, land use change, migration, urbanisation and climate change. It is important to address current problems with current variability and develop adaptation strategies at the local level by using regional approach – not global. Dr. Szöllösi-Nagy showed his broad field of vision in his presentation which is rich in content by his excellent presentation.

Dr. Wang Hao’s presentation is “Water Resources and Water Environment in China”. Dr. Wang presented the general status of water resources, water environment and water development in China comprehensively by showing many figures and tables. He also analyzed in depth the eco-environment issues related to water. He explained profound theories in simple language with accurate and full information. The following three aspects of understandings could be obtained from his presentation: a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of water and its development in China, a clearer understanding of the basic water resources condition, and a more profound understanding of the significance of practicing new concept of sustainable water management and development.

Discussions followed the presentations. Dr. Szöllösi-Nagy high praised Dr. Wang’s presentation and invited him to contribute to next edition of the World Water Development Report (WWDR).
(by LIU Cheng, IRTCES)

Seminar


Prof. Hu Chunhong, Secretary-General of IRTCES chaired the seminar


Dr. Szöllösi-Nagy’s presentation “Global change impacts, including those of climate change on water resources”


Dr. Wang Hao’s presentation “Water Resources and Water Environment in China”

   
Discussion


Group photo

[PDF] Dr. Szöllösi-Nagy's PPT file presented in IRTCES (about 8.4 MB)