The Action Report of Working Group on Representative of

Developing Countries (WGRDC), IAHS in 2017

Prof. Jun Xia

Honorary Vice-President, International Association of Hydrologic Sciences (IAHS)Chair, Working Group on Representative of Developing Countries (WGRDC), IAHS

Chair, China National Committee for Panta Rhei, IAHS

Since the proposal of the Working Group on Representative of Developing Countries (WGRDC), IAHS, several actions were processed in 2017-2018.

1. To understand the available hydrological knowledge and brainstorm on hydrological innovations to meet the grand water challenges worldwide, in particular in developing countries, the 2nd

IAHS Panta Rhei International on Water System Knowledge Innovation and its Practices in Developing Countries, was held at the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (GUASNR) in City of Gorgan, Northern Iran on 20-22 November 2017. The conference was also a response to the IAHS Panta Rhei initiative Program.

The conference was a follow up to the ‘First International Conference on Hydrological Knowledge Innovation and its Practices in Developing Countries, November 2016, Shenzhen, China’. The conference brought together about 100 scientists and experts of different backgrounds from all over the world, in particular from developing countries. Different participants from various disciplines including hydrology, meteorology, geomorphology, ecology, civil engineering, environmental sciences met together to share and discuss their research findings and experiences on water system knowledge and practices. The topic presented mainly focused on integrated water management plans: practices and lessons, trans-boundary water system management, the Caspian Sea hydrological system, and the participants country reports. Extensive discussions were held during the conference. After the conference, the Gorgan Declaration was announced. The declaration emphasized on the importance of close collaboration of scientists from various disciplines, national and international research and education institutions to address the water challenges especially in

developing countries.

2. As an important action to promote the WGRDC and also strengthen the cooperation between China and Africa in the water security issue, Prof. Jun Xia has led a delegation from Wuhan University to visit Harare, Zimbabwe during 25th-31st Oct, 2017, and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Wuhan University (WHU), China and University of Zimbabwe (UZ). During the visit, Prof. Jun Xia introduced the programme of cooperation in the developing countries by the IAHS to the leaders in UZ, and also presented the perspective and suggestions on cooperation between WHU & UZ. Besides, Prof. Jun Xia and the delegation, accompanied by the counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zimbabwe, meet with Ms. Muchinguri, the Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, Zimbabwe. They discussed some potential cooperation between China and Zimbabwe in the water security issue.

The signing of the MoU provides a fundamental basis to further strengthen the cooperation between the two universities and also the two countries. In the next year, some plans are scheduled: (1) applying for more fundings in different ways (such as NSFC, MOST, the Road & Belt Initiative and so on) to support the future activities between the two universities; (2) planning to organize some training courses focused on the water resources management in China, and (3) encourage and help more student from Zimbabwe to apply the Chinese Government Scholarship and come to study in China.

3. The plan for the International Symposium of Ecohydrology and Water Security: Opportunities & Challenges from Developing Countries (ISEWS) in 2018

The ISEWS is sponsored by the WGRDC, IAHS, IWRA, UNESCO-IHP, China National Committee for Panta Rhei of IAHS, Northwest University and some other local organizations. It will be hold in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China on 16-18 October, 2018. The ISEWS aims to invite researchers in the areas of ecohydrology and emerging water research, with a focus on interactions among water and ecosystems, water resources, and water security. In Particular, the related new opportunities and challenges from developing countries will be discussed together with industrial representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders. The critical concerns and significant future challenges as well as scientific and strategic responses will be identified. The themes and topics will be discussed in

the ISEWS, including: (1) ecohydrological processes and new technologies, (2) water security and ecosystem-related issues, and (3) Panta Rhei-sustainable water security to safeguard ecosystem and society. This symposium is expected to put forward suggestions and solutions for water resources management and water security issues to help the developing countries are thus essential also in line with the Belt and Road initiative in China. Until now, the first announcement has been send to the potential participants.

Besides the above international activities in the developing countries, some local actions are also progressed in China in 2017, the details are given as below:

1. Prof. Jun Xia undertook a project called “the development strategy of Eco-hydrology in China”, sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This project aims to promote the fundamental research and technological innovation on the area of eco-hydrology in China. This project will play a key role for this interdisciplinary research and is also required to collaborate with Panta Rhei and WGRDC in the upcoming several years.

2. As an important response to the WGRDC and based on the programme of the water security in the developing countries along “the Belt and Road initiative of China”, Prof. Jun Xia has participated 2nd

workshop of “Silk Road Disaster Risk Reduction” and the 2017 International Workshop on “CPEC Natural Hazards Risk Assessment and Mitigation” held in Islamabad, Pakistan from July 17th-18th, 2017. This conference is a contribution to the Belt as Road Initiative of China and development of China-Pakistan Economic Belt as well as a response to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 which was adopted by UN members States in March 2015. The attended scientists and experts discussed the mechanism of the natural disaster, the assessment, monitor, early warning and also the risk management of the natural disaster along the China-Pakistan Economic Belt.

3. Many students from the underdeveloped areas of Southeast Asia and Africa come to Wuhan University, China to study for their doctoral or master degrees.

In 2017, Prof. Jun Xia has supervised three students from Southeast Asia and Africa, who are now studied in Wuhan University. Mr. Allaramadji Beyaitan Bantin is from Chad and is now a PhD candidate. He is sponsored by the Chinese Governmental Scholarship. Mr. Sokha Sokunthearoth from Cambodia and Mr. Soulaxay Inthalangsy from Laos are now studied for their Master degree in Wuhan University. Besides, some other students from Iran and Egypt have also contacted with Prof. Jun Xia in 2017, they will apply for the Chinese Governmental Scholarship and are expected to study in Wuhan University, China in the next year. These actions can strengthen the cooperation between China and other underdeveloped countries, and can greatly help to promote the WGRDC.

Name: Allaramadji Beyaitan BantinNationality: ChadPhone: +8613163283857Email: bantin2016@gmail.com

Name: Sokha SokunthearothNationality: CambodiaPhone : +86 13006381980Email:sokha.sokunthearoth@gmail.com

Name: Soulaxay InthalangsyNationality: Laos

Phone: +86 13277035179Email: Soulaxay77@gmail.com

Contacted information------------------------------------------------------------------Prof. Jun XIA Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Director, Research Institute for Water Security (RIWS), Wuhan University， East-South Road No.8, Wuhan, 430072, ChinaE-mail: xiaj@igsnrr.a.c.cn xiajun666@whu.edu.cnMobile: + 86 13910922532 Tel./Fax: +86 27 68773772 ------------------------------------------------------------------------