Under the framework of UNESCO-IHP the 6th International Sediment Initiative Steering Committee Meeting (ISI SCM) and Workshop on Global Change Impacts and Role of ISI was successfully held in the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES), Beijing, China from November 5 to 7, 2008. The representatives from UNESCO and Ministry of Water Resources, P.R. China (MWR), members of ISI Steering Committee, observers and relevant IRTCES staffs attended the meeting. The total 3 day activities include ISI SCM, the workshop and a technical tour.

In the opening ceremony  Mr. LIU Zhiguang, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, MWR, delivered his opeing remarks and welcomed international experts  from over 13 countries.. As was remarked by Mr. Liu IRTCES has been a focus of MWR and the Ministry will continue to support IRTCES and its function as the technical secretariat of ISI jointly with UNESCO.  Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, Director and Representative of UNESCO Office Beijing, acknowledged the contribution of IRTCES to the ISI in his speech, and wished the meeting and workshop a great success. On behalf of IRTCES, Prof. LIU Guangquan, Assistant Director and Division Chief of Department of International Communication, expressed  gratitude appreciates to the supports of UNESCO, MWR and ISI Steering Committee. Prof. Manfred Spreafico, Chairmen of UNESCO-ISI Steering Committee,  appraised IRTCES on its supports as the ISI Technical Secretariat, as well as its excellent contribution to the construction, operation and maintenance of ISI information system. Prof. LIU Cheng, Deputy Division Chief of Department of Research and Training, IRTCES, chaired the opening ceremony.

The ISI SCM was chaired by Prof. Manfred Spreafico. The members reported major activities carried out, put forward and discussed future plans and activities. On behalf of ISI Technical Secretariat, Prof. LIU Cheng reported the work undertaken by IRTCES as the ISI Technical Secretariat, and introduced a proposal for the establishment of the International Networks on Erosion and Sedimentation (INES). Prof. Liu also introduced a project proposal for the construction of a database for the runoff and sediment loads of main rivers in China as a database example for ISI Information System. Dr. Anil Mishra, Programme Specialist, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO, presented an overview of the 7th phase of IHP (2008-2013) titled Water dependencies: Systems under stress and societal responses.  He further outlined expected deliverables for IHP-VII (2008-2013 ), in which ISI as one of the Associated Programme should also contribute to the implementation of the IHP. Dr. Mishra also presented draft version of the ISI Brochure.

The Workshop on Global Change Impacts and Role of ISI was chaired by Prof. Manfred Spreafico. In-depth discussions were focused on the main topics as was shown in the presentation “Studying the Impact Of Global Change on Erosion and Sediment Dynamics: Current Progress and Future Challenges” made by Prof. Des. Walling. The ISI SC members also shared the research results in their own field. The meeting and workshop presented significant importance in fulfilling the goals and objectives of ISI.
On November 7, the members visited the Longfengling Water and Soil Conservation Scientific Demonstration Site located in the suburb area of Beijing.

The International Sediment Initiative (ISI) was launched by UNESCO in 2002. ISI advances sustainable sediment management at the global scale in an effort to contribute to sustainable water resources management. The initiative assesses erosion and sediment transport to marine, lake or reservoir environments and is aimed to the creation of a holistic approach for the remediation and conservation of surface waters. Now the ISI Steering Committee is composed of 16 experts representing 6 regions of UNESCO. The ISI Technical Secretariat is located in IRTCES, Beijing, China. (this report was drafted by LIU Cheng and SHI Hongling, IRTCES and revised by A. Mishra and R. Jayakumar, UNESCO)

Opening Ceremony
 

Welcome Speech by Mr. Liu Zhiguang,  Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, MWR of China 


Speech by Mr. Abhimanyu Singh, UNESCO Director and Representative, UNESCO Office Beijing

 
Welcome Speech by Prof. Dr. Liu Guangquan,  Assistant Director and Division Chief of Department of International Communication, IRTCES
 

Speech by Prof. Dr. Manfred Spreafico,  Chairman of UNESCO-ISI Steering Committee

 
Presentation by Dr. Anil Mishra, Programme Specialist, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO

 
Report of ISI secretariat by Dr. Liu Cheng,  Deputy Division Chief of Department of Research and Training, IRTCES


Presentation by Desmend E.Walling in workshop


Technical tour in Longfengling Water and Soil Conservation Scientific Demonstration Site, Beijing.

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