The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) announced that jointly with the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, Director Kim Byung-suk) and the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey (KIHS, Director Lee Young-gi), it will host the ‘World Meteorological Organization Asia Hydrological Coordination Panel* International Conference and Workshop’ from July 1 to 3 at the KICT and the KIHS (located in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province). The conference and workshop are held for Asian member countries of the World Meteorological Organization. 

* The World Meteorological Organization divides the globe into 6 regional associations, with the Asia region, to which Korea belongs, consisting of 34 countries. Within each regional association, there are panels for hydrological coordination, services, and observational infrastructure groups.

This international event has been organized to explore cooperation strategies aimed at enhancing practical capabilities in hydrology and water resources among Asian member countries of the World Meteorological Organization. Officials from nine countries belonging to the Asia Regional Association, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Kazakhstan, India, and Bangladesh, will participate.

As the chairing country of the Asia Hydrological Coordination Panel under the World Meteorological Organization, South Korea has developed the ‘Dynamic Water Resources Assessment System*’ in response to a request from the WMO for developing countries and others. The developed system was included on the WMO website (wmo.int) in 2019, providing crucial information on water management in the hydrology sector to countries worldwide.

* A program that simulates runoff, groundwater infiltration, and evaporation based on user-input hydrological data such as precipitation, sunshine duration, and wind speed at key points in a watershed

During the two-day international conference of the Hydrological Coordination Panel starting from July 1, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology will give presentations on ‘Promotion Strategies for Detailed Collaboration in Hydrology and Water Resources among Asian Countries’ and ‘Enhancement of Water Resources Assessment Capacities’. Discussions will also be held with officials from participating countries.

During the workshop on July 3, the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey will present Korea’s advanced hydrological survey methods utilizing real-time automatic discharge measurement, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), unmanned surface vessels (boats), and conduct practical activities using their own developed river flow estimation program. In addition, presentations from participating countries will include Japan’s status and future directions in advanced hydrological survey technology development and Kazakhstan’s current status and future development directions in hydrological surveys.

Hong Dong-gon, Director of the Han River Flood Control Office at the Ministry of Environment, expressed hopes that this international event will enhance practical water resources management and strengthen capabilities in hydrological surveys among Asian member countries under the World Meteorological Organization. He emphasized, “We hope this event will serve as an opportunity for continuous enhancement of mutual cooperation among Asian countries in effectively addressing water issues.” 

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com