原创 BEJ/SC 联合国教科文组织
2025年11月17日 17:04 北京
UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and IWHR Successfully Hosted the Fifth International Seminar on Water Culture in Shaoxing City
On 13 November, the Fifth International Seminar on Water Culture was successfully held in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. The event was co-hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (UNESCO Beijing Office) and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources and the Shaoxing Municipal People’s Government, and co-organized by the Shaoxing Water Resources Bureau and the China South-to-North Water Diversion Group Cultural and Tourism Development Co., Ltd.
Group photo of participants
With the theme “Water and Human Ingenuity: Enduring Inspirations of Dayu,” the seminar gathered experts and scholars in water culture, river governance and river ethics from China and abroad to explore the contemporary relevance of Dayu’s ancient wisdom in water management and new pathways for river governance empowered by digital technology.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and UNESCO Representative to the People’s Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea; Ms. Li Xiaolin, First-Level Inspector of the General Office of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China; Ms. Xu Jing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Peng Jing, President of the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR); Mr. Wang Houjun, Director of the Publicity and Education Center of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China; Ms. Wu Changhua, Chair of the Governing Council of Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) and Greater China Director and Chair of the China Board, The Climate Group; Mr. Wu Honghui, Deputy Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources; and Ms. Wu Dengfen, Mayor of Shaoxing Municipal People's Government, attended the opening ceremony. Nearly 150 representatives from government agencies, research institutions, universities and international organizations across more than ten countries participated in the seminar.
Opening Ceremony
This year’s seminar coincided with several significant milestones: the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), and the 20th anniversary of the “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains are Invaluable Assets” development philosophy. It also comes at a crucial moment in advancing China’s National River Strategy and implementing President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture.
The event sought to thoroughly explore water-related cultural heritage in China and around the world, focusing on the integration of hydraulic science and technology, river ethics and environmental protection. The objective was to examine the historical lineage and contemporary evolution of water-related science and culture, deepen global cooperation on water culture, and promote the creation of a harmonious civilization between people and water.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, noted that Shaoxing is a model city where modernity and tradition blend seamlessly—its tranquil waterways and iconic black-awning boats coexist with vibrant economic development. The city vividly reflects the meaning of its name—“inheritance” and “revitalization”—and embodies a new paradigm of ecological civilization in which humans live in harmony with nature. He highlighted that the wisdom of Dayu’s flood control—a legacy spanning more than four millennia—is the intellectual foundation and inspiration for convening this seminar. Water, he emphasized, lies at the heart of sustainable development. In recent years, UNESCO Beijing Office and IWHR, along with other water institutions in China, have carried out extensive exchanges in water science, water policy, water culture and water education. Their cooperation—ranging from scientific exploration and policy practice to innovative solutions and civilizational dialogue—has continued to deepen, actively responding to President Xi Jinping’s international initiatives to advance cooperation and development among countries of the Global South. UNESCO will continue to champion the goal of “promoting water security through science,” deepen cooperation with China’s water sector, and support the integration of water science and water culture worldwide to jointly foster a more sustainable water future.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan delivered an opening speech
Ms. Xu Jing, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology of the Ministry of Water Resources, noted that water is the mother of all things, the basis of life and the source of civilization. President Xi Jinping has emphasized that managing water resources and mitigating water-related disasters have always been fundamental tasks in governing a nation.As the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century, climate change continues to trigger more frequent and intense extreme weather events, posing severe challenges to global water resources, water-related disasters, aquatic ecosystems and water environment management. The Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China stands ready to work with water authorities and international organizations worldwide—under the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative—to advance water culture globally, foster harmony between humanity and water, and accelerate the achievement of water-related targets in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ms. Xu Jing delivered an opening speech
Prof. Peng Jing, President of IWHR, stated that the Fifth International Seminar on Water Culture is another grand gathering where experts from home and abroad come together through water and unite through culture. Water is the first recorder of human civilization, and water culture is a shared heritage that transcends borders and connects past and present. Facing global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and increasing water-related disasters, President Xi Jinping has proposed a comprehensive water governance framework—“prioritizing water conservation, ensuring spatial balance, promoting systematic governance and leveraging both human and natural solutions”—which forms the foundation of China’s National River Strategy. This is not only a major strategic component of Chinese modernization, but also a Chinese contribution to fostering a civilization in which humanity and nature coexist harmoniously. She emphasized that the International Seminar on Water Culture will continue to use water as a medium and culture as a bridge, building consensus and sharing wisdom, so that water culture can become a true “catalyst” for advancing global initiatives and a source of vitality for a sustainable future.
Prof. Peng Jing delivered an opening speech
Ms. Wu Changhua, Chair of the Governing Council of Asia-Pacific Water Forum(APWF) and Greater China Director and Chairof the China Board, The Climate Group, highlighted that at COP30, water was included for the first time as a central theme in global climate governance—signifying a historic shift from “carbon-centered” to “water-centered” global action. In China’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the country outlined a national water security system grounded in river basin units, advancing basin governance, ecological restoration, early warning capacity and nature-based solutions.She noted that China’s traditional water governance philosophy—“guiding water according to its nature and governing with virtue”—is now being revitalized through cultural, technological and institutional innovation, offering a distinctive “Chinese solution” for global climate adaptation.
Ms. Wu Changhua delivered an opening speech
Mr. Wu Honghui, Deputy Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources, stated that Zhejiang owes both its origins and its prosperity to water. With its dense water networks connecting land and sea, water governance has always been central to the province’s development. In recent years, Zhejiang Province has implemented the “Eight Advantages and Eight Initiatives Strategy” strengthened flood and drought management, advanced the construction of a world-class water network, improved urban and rural water supply, enhanced river protection and governance, promoted the creation of “Happy Rivers and Lakes,” and built a highland for water culture. Zhejiang Province will continue to ensure that every river carries culture and conveys value, contributing to Chinese modernization through its water governance efforts.
Mr. Wu Honghui delivered an opening speech
Ms. Wu Dengfen, Mayor of Shaoxing Municipal People's Government, emphasized that Shaoxing is home to treasured cultural legacies such as Dayu culture. In recent years, the city has faithfully implemented the guidance of President Xi Jinping, systematically advancing the protection, inheritance and utilization of Grand Canal culture, publishing the Shaoxing Catalogue of World Cultural Heritage of the Grand Canal, strengthening the foundations of water cultural heritage, showcasing its unique charm and promoting its contemporary relevance. She expressed hope that the seminar would enable water professionals worldwide to share governance wisdom and build a platform of mutual learning and cooperation.
Prof. Peng Wenqi, Chief Engineer of IWHR, moderated the opening ceremony.
Ms. Wu Dengfen delivered an opening speech
Prof. Peng Wenqi moderated the opening ceremony
Keynotes
During the keynote session, Mr. Wu Honghui, Deputy Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources, released exemplary cases of integrating water culture with hydraulic engineering in Zhejiang Province.
Keynote speakers included:
· Prof. Tan Xuming, Director of Committee on Water History and Water Heritage of the Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society;
· Ms. Andrea Kiss, Researcher at the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, Vienna University of Technology;
· Prof. Li Haihong, Chief Assistant of the River Ethics Research Project, IWHR;
· Prof. Philippe Gourbesville, President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR);
· Prof. Chen Yongming, Director of the National Water Museum of China.
Their presentations examined water culture and river governance from historical, cultural, engineering and ethical perspectives, showcasing the latest research findings and practical experiences.
Mr. Wu Honghui released exemplary cases of integrating water culture with hydraulic engineering in Zhejiang Province
Prof. Tan Xuming delivered a keynote presentation
Ms. Andrea Kiss delivered a keynote presentation
Prof. Li Haihong delivered a keynote presentation
Prof. Philippe Gourbesville delivered a keynote presentation
Prof. Chen Yongming delivered a keynote presentation
Three Thematic Sessions
Three thematic sessions were held:
· Thematic Session I: Modern Interpretation of Dayu’s Water Wisdom
· Thematic Session II: River Ethics—East Meets West
· Thematic Session III: Digital Frontiers in River Governance
A total of 31 presenters explored innovative approaches to inheriting Dayu’s water management culture, global dialogues on river ethics and ecological governance principles, and basin-wide governance supported by smart technologies. The sessions fostered cross-disciplinary exchange and shared insights.
Thematic Session I
Thematic Session II
Thematic Session III
Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony, summary reports were delivered by the moderators of the above three Thematic Sessions:
· Prof. Li Yunpeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Water History of IWHR (Thematic Session I);
· Prof. Mu Jianxin, Senior Consultant of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia (Thematic Session II);
· Ms. Zheng Yingying, Deputy Director of the General Office of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources (Thematic Session III).
Xiong Yanhui, Chief Planner of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Department of Water Resources, presented the vision for hosting the next seminar.
Prof. Peng Wenqi, Chief Engineer of IWHR, delivered the closing remarks.
Finally, Prof. Peng Jing and Prof. Shahbaz Khan jointly affixed seals to commemorate the successful conclusion of the event.
Prof. Li Yunpeng, moderator of Thematic Session I, delivered a summary report
Prof. Mu Jianxin, moderator of Thematic Session II, delivered a summary report
Ms. Zheng Yingying, moderator of Thematic Session III, delivered a summary report
Prof. Xiong Yanhui presented the vision for hosting the next seminar.
Ceremonial Stamping
Closing Ceremony
Conclusion
Launched in 2021 as a joint initiative between IWHR and UNESCO, the International Seminar on Water Culture has now been held for five consecutive years. Its successful convening demonstrates the practical implementation of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Culture and his important guidance on water governance. The seminar continues to promote global exchange and cooperation on water culture, showcasing the commitment of China’s water sector to shaping identity through culture and strengthening foundations through civilization, and injecting fresh momentum into building and sharing global water culture.
(Source: UNESCO Beijing)
