On the afternoon of September 24, the "UNESCO Water Family Symposium III: Water Science Roundtable" was held during the 3rd Asia International Water Week in Beijing. The meeting was jointly organized by IRTCES and IWHR, with the theme of Gather consensus on the development of water sciences and technology, and promote the preparation of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report. Zhu Chengqing, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources of China, An Pich Hatda, Secretary of State for Water Resources and Meteorology of Cambodia, Urmatbek Shamyrkanov, Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan, and Chanthanet Boualapha, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos, attended the meeting and delivered opening remarks. The opening ceremony and keynote speeches were chaired by Peng Jing, Director-General of IRTCES and President of IWHR.

The roundtable discussion was presided over by Liu Zhiyu, Deputy Director of the Water Resources Department of the Ministry of Water Resources and Executive Chairman of the China National Committee for UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), and Professor Philip Gourbesville, President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research and Distinguished Professor at IWHR. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as flood and drought disaster management, integrated water resources management, water environment and ecology, and water policy.

 (i)       Highlights

In her opening remarks, Zhu Chengqing noted that the Ministry of Water Resources of China has deeply implemented President Xi Jinping's water governance philosophy of "giving priority to water conservation, achieving spatial equilibrium, promoting systematic governance, and applying both administrative and market-based approaches." The ministry adheres to an innovation-driven strategy, focusing on knowledge innovation, technological innovation, and institutional innovation to comprehensively enhance the level of water science and technology innovation. This has led to the development of new types of water productivity, with water conservancy scientific and technological achievements strongly supporting flood and drought disaster prevention, efficient utilization of water resources, national water network construction, and river and lake ecosystem recovery. These efforts have ensured flood control, water supply, food security, and ecological security. UNESCO plays a key leading role in water science research, and the Ministry of Water Resources of China is willing to further strengthen water science and technology cooperation with UNESCO, support the compilation of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report, and work together with global water partners to continuously contribute more scientific and technological strength to the realization of the water-related goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

An Pich Hatda emphasized the important role of water science and technology in economic development and called for the development of practice-based water governance models and the strengthening of education, training, and capacity building under the UNESCO framework. He cited various complex scenarios that require systematic governance solutions, which are influenced by external drivers such as climate change and human activities.

Urmatbek Shamyrkanov noted that water resources are one of the most important resources in Kyrgyzstan and a factor affecting national security. He called for a global rethinking of the value of water resources and the adoption of new utilization methods, as well as continued strengthening of technological cooperation in water security.

Chanthanet Boualapha highlighted that Laos' water management practices have benefited from international cooperation but still face many water security risks and challenges. He called for continued strengthening of technological innovation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated efforts in water resources management. He also reminded participants that the true value of water is not only its physical properties but also its ability to promote human life and prosperity. Each of us has a responsibility to protect our precious water resources to leave a valuable legacy for future generations.

Peng Jing, in her opening remarks, emphasized that the world is undergoing profound changes in the field of science and technology, with new technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence accelerating the empowerment of scientific and technological innovation. These technologies have become the core driving force in adapting to climate change and ensuring global challenges such as water security, food security, and public health. The realization of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development urgently requires the promotion of scientific and technological progress on a global scale, increased knowledge dissemination, and enhanced experience sharing. As a leader in this process, UNESCO, together with global water colleagues, continues to drive water science and technology transformation, implement the ninth phase of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, and advance the compilation and release of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report. The Chinese water community highly agrees with this and looks forward to contributing Chinese strength and solutions to this process. IRTCES and IWHR will fully support these efforts, jointly explore the frontiers of water science and technology development, and contribute to the compilation and release of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report.

During the keynote speech session, Abou Amani, Director of the Water Sciences Division of UNESCO, and Wang Jianhua, Vice President of IWHR, delivered keynote speeches. Abou Amani introduced the development process of the nine phases of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), the goals of each development stage, and significant achievements, citing numerous global case studies. He elaborated on why a scientific report is needed in the new phase, emphasizing that future solutions must be based on scientific evidence. He also explained the original intention behind the compilation of the report and the corresponding plans for its future development.

Wang Jianhua introduced the main challenges of water resources management in China, the innovation system of water conservancy science and technology, future directions, and key areas of focus. He emphasized that to build a practical and advanced water conservancy technology system, it is necessary to integrate theory, concepts, toolkits, and practice, as well as monitoring, forecasting, early warning, simulation, and contingency planning. He expressed the intention to leverage China's water technology strengths to actively contribute to the compilation and release of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report.

Following the keynote speeches, experts in attendance engaged in roundtable discussions on four topics: "Floods and Droughts," "Water Resources," "Water Ecology and Environment," and "Water Policy." These discussions were centered around the hotspots and challenges in global water technology development, the latest advancements in water technology, the needs for its development, and the compilation of UNESCO's UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report. The roundtable was chaired by Liu Zhiyu, Deputy Director and First-Class Inspector of the Hydrology Department of the Ministry of Water Resources, Executive Chair of the UNESCO-IHP China National Committee, and Professor Philippe Gourbesville, President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, Professor at the University of C?te d'Azur in France, and Distinguished Professor at the IWHR.

On the topic of "Floods and Droughts," Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Office in East Asia, pointed out that for scientific frontiers, both droughts and floods require the integration of social sciences with hydrological sciences, focusing not only on the social aspects but also on the economic dimensions to provide the best solutions.

Professor Wang Zhongjing from Tsinghua University and Vice President of Ningxia University introduced digital twin technology and the management of new-quality water resources, illustrating his points with case studies on rural drinking water, irrigation, and flood disasters.

Hamid Nouri, Director of the UNESCO International Centre for Integrated Watershed and Biological resources Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas, emphasized that floods and droughts should be seen as two sides of the same coin, requiring preparedness and response plans. He called for the development of comprehensive national plans to achieve synergistic effects in strategy.

Daisuke Harada, from the UNESCO International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management, highlighted that Japan is a country prone to heavy rainfall, typhoons, and geological disasters. Faced with the challenges of global climate change, Japan needs to transform and undertake top-level design to ensure that technology serves disaster mitigation.

On the topic of "Water Resources," Slobodan Simonovic, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Engineering Institute of Canada, President of the International Conference on Flood Management, and Professor at the University of Western Ontario, emphasized the significant gap between science and application. He introduced topics such as smart water management, the relationship between water and energy, hydrological information and big data, nature-based solutions, desalination, water and agriculture, and digital platforms.

Liu Junguo, President of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, emphasized that water science should contribute to human civilization by exploring how to understand, use, and manage water through the relationship between humans and water. He listed frontier research areas in river ecosystem science.

Omogbemi Omoloju Yaya, Director of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management, emphasized the need to enhance capacity building in applied research. He expressed hope that the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report would lead to better water resource management and strengthen North-North and South-South cooperation.

Tariq Gassan Alghaffari, Deputy Director-General of the Saudi Water and Electricity Authority, pointed out that Saudi Arabia is a water-scarce country that needs to focus not only on technology but also on collaboration across all sectors. He shared insights gained from China's South-to-North Water Transfer Project.

On the topic of "Water Environment and Ecology," Li Rui, Honorary Chairman of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation and Researcher at the Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, introduced the relationship between water resources and water conservation, emphasizing the need for research on the impacts of soil and water protection on water resources, water quality, and the water environment.

Chun Kiat Chang, Deputy Director of the Centre for River Engineering and Urban Drainage at the University of Science and Technology Malaysia, introduced the water challenges faced by Malaysia in tropical regions and discussed nature-based solutions, specifically promoting sustainable ecological drainage systems.

Hyoseop Woo, former Vice President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research and Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Architectural Environment at Seoul National University, proposed that for interdisciplinary fields, it is necessary to study the interactions among various environmental factors, particularly the interactions between physical, chemical, biological, and ecological aspects, as well as between water and the environment. He also called for cutting-edge technological research to effectively enhance efficiency.

On the topic of "Water Policy," Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Deputy Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute (Asia), emphasized the importance of cooperation among people and hoped to strengthen good governance in water management from a policy perspective, promoting accountable and participatory management.

Wu Shiqiang, Deputy Director of the Nanjing Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, introduced the policies and countermeasures China has adopted in the face of challenges, especially in water resource management, including the three red lines and rigid constraints. He also highlighted new technological applications in policy, such as water-saving technologies, digital twins, and unconventional water use.

Olli Varis, Professor at Aalto University in Finland, emphasized the application of intelligent technologies, the concept of water risk, transformation and paradigm shift, demand-side management, and ecosystem protection.

Sucharit Koontanakulvong, UNESCO Chair in Water and Disaster Management and Climate Change, pointed out that policy-making requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including regional and international cooperation. It is necessary to achieve water management through innovation and research, capacity building, and technology exchange.

(ii)       Achievements

(1) The event publicized the new progress of China's water science and technology innovation under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's water governance philosophy and its important role in supporting flood and drought disaster prevention, efficient utilization of water resources, national water network construction, and river and lake ecosystem recovery.

(2) The UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report is a leading initiative in the field of water science and technology, reflecting China's active participation and leading role in this area.

(3) The participation of multiple ministerial-level leaders, UNESCO regional center directors, Category II Center directors, Chairs, and presidents of international organizations and universities demonstrated a high level of attention to water science and technology.

(4) The event consolidated consensus on water science and technology development, and the opinions and suggestions of experts provided strong support for the compilation of the UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report.

(iii)       Reflections and Suggestions

(1) Water science and technology plays a key role in solving global water resource issues. Strengthening water science and technology innovation and cooperation is an important way to achieve the water-related goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

(2) The UNESCO IHP Water Sciences Report should be used as a leverage to actively participate in this work and achieve a leading role in water science and technology.

(3) Continued international cooperation in relevant fields should be carried out to promote trans boundary and interdisciplinary research and contribute more strength to the realization of the water-related goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

(4) Active participation in the ninth phase of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme should be encouraged to reflect Chinese wisdom, solutions, and strength.