91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ

On March 22, 2025, the "World Water Day" open day was held at the Grand Canal in Tongzhou District, Beijing. This event was jointly hosted by UNESCO and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), and co-organized by the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, Beijing Beiyun River Administrative Office, and Tongzhou District Water Authority of Beijing Municipality. Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, and Dr. Peng Jing, President of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), both attended the event and delivered speeches. Representatives from various affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Water Resources, local authorities, and embassies and consulates from countries such as Pakistan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Iran, Indonesia, Zambia, France, Mexico, Uruguay, and Australia, along with several international organizations focused on water-related issues, were also present.

Prof. Shahbaz Khan emphasized in his speech that in 2025, UNESCO will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and 60 years of water sciences.  Water is not only essential for human survival but also plays a critical role in shaping civilizations, fostering cultural exchanges, and advancing sustainable development. He highlighted the importance of the World Water Day Open Day event and praised the significance of international cooperation in addressing global water challenges. He expressed his hope that representatives from various nations would continue to promote exchanges of experience and knowledge in areas such as water education, water science, and water culture, thereby accelerating progress toward achieving the United Nation¡¯s water-related sustainable development goals.

Dr. Peng Jing, President of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), emphasized that under the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping¡¯s principles of "water conservation priority, spatial water balance, systematic water governance, and a dual-pronged water approach" to water management, China¡¯s water sector has achieved historic milestones and undergone significant transformations. These achievements are evident in the continuous improvement of China¡¯s ability to manage water and drought disasters, the conservation and efficient utilization of water resources, the optimization of water resource allocation, and the protection and management of river and lake ecosystems. A notable example of these efforts is the revitalization of the Grand Canal. By coordinating water sources such as the water supply from the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, reused water, rainwater, and flood water, the Grand Canal has been replenished and restored. For the past four consecutive years, after more than a century of interruption, the world¡¯s longest and oldest artificial waterway has been flowing again, marking a remarkable achievement in the restoration of China's ecological environment. This initiative embodies the harmonious relationship between humans and water and is a vivid demonstration of the joint efforts to build a clean and beautiful world, ultimately contributing to the shared future of humanity.

Prof. Li Haihong, a representative of the River Ethics Research Group at the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), presented a report on "China¡¯s Practice in River Ethics " and introduced the report "River Ethics and China¡¯s Practice" in six official languages of the United Nations to the attending representatives. This report, written and published by the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), was first released globally during the 10^th World Water Forum in May 2024. It has received a positive response from the international community and continues to lead research and practice in the field of global river ethics.

Representatives from various embassies, consulates, and international organizations praised China's recent achievements in water management, shared their own canal cultures and water management practices, and discussed the future direction of global water cooperation.

Both Chinese and international representatives also visited the Beijing Grand Canal Museum (East Branch of the Capital Museum) to learn more about the rich history of Chinese canal civilization. Together, they created a commemorative album for 2025 World Water Day, celebrating the shared values of water management and cultural heritage.

World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1993 and observed annually on March 22, aims to raise awareness about the importance of water and promote sustainable management of water resources. The theme for the 33^rd World Water Day in 2025 was "Glacier Conservation." Additionally, the 38^th China Water Week is taking place from March 22 to 28, focusing on the theme "Promoting High-Quality Development of Water Conservancy and Ensuring China's Water Security."

UNESCO and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) first hosted the World Water Day Open Day event on March 22, 2024, at the China Water Resources Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. For 2025, the event was held at the Grand Canal Museum in Beijing (East Branch of the Capital Museum), under the theme "Flowing Harmony, Renewed Legacy." Through museum exhibits, salon discussions, and visits to the Grand Canal, attendees explored the revitalization of this ancient waterway in the new era and delved into how to preserve and innovate its cultural heritage.