United States Elected to the Intergovernmental Council of UNESCO IHP

On November 23, 2023, following the agreement on a “clean slate” within Group 1 of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP), the United States was among those elected to the Intergovernmental Council of the IHP, without conducting a ballot. Earlier in 2023, the US had rejoined UNESCO following several years of absence and was subsequently elected to the UNESCO Executive Board.

The other members elected from Electoral Group 1 (i.e., Western Europe, Canada, USA and Turkey) were Austria, Germany, and Spain. Belgium, Turkey and the United Kingdom are also members, having been elected in 2021. Austria will lead the Group, and by rotation will Chair the Council and the six-member IHP Bureau. A full list of the 35 current Council member states is available at https://en.unesco.org/themes/water-security/hydrology/about-us/governing-bodies/council-composition.

Mr. William Cunningham, Director of the USGS Office of International Programs, has been designated as the IHP focal point for the US, in the absence of a National Committee. ICIWaRM Director Will Logan will function as the secretary.

The US was also elected as Group 1’s representative to the Resolution Drafting Committee.