UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) celebrates 50 years of advancing water science and management through international cooperation, marking six decades of commitment to addressing global water challenges.
Celebrating UNESCO’s water legacy. Read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/ihp/50y
From arid zones to global leadership: UNESCO’s water journey
For half a century, UNESCO’s scientific programmes have played an instrumental role in establishing freshwater management as one of humanity’s most critical challenges for planetary survival. At the forefront of these efforts stands the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, which evolved from pioneering research on arid zones in the 1950s through the Major Project on Arid Lands (1956) and the International Hydrological Decade (1965). Today, IHP serves as the UN’s only intergovernmental cooperation programme dedicated to water research, management, education, and capacity development. Through scientific expertise and practical solutions, it helps UNESCO Member States address their water challenges while promoting sustainable development.
Water Film Prize 2025 launches call for stories about Ancient Water Solutions for Present Climate Crisis
The Water Film Prize is organized by Let’s Talk About Water, a global platform with 20 years of experience using film to bridge the gap between scientists, policy makers and the public, in partnership with WAMU-NET, a UNESCO-IHP initiative uniting over 100 water museums across 44 countries.
Find out more about the 2025 Water Film Prize BACK TO OUR FUTURE, a Short Film Competition on Arid Lands and Ancient Hydro-Technologies (AHTs)
