Annual Report 2022

A successful year for our organisation

The International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/AIH) is a scientific and educational charitable organisation for scientists, engineers, water managers and other professionals working in the fields of groundwater resource planning, management and protection. Our mission is to further the understanding, wise use and protection of groundwater resources throughout the world.

We raise awareness of groundwater issues and work with national and international agencies to promote the use of groundwater to ensure ready access to safe drinking water. IAH promotes the protection of aquifers against pollution, the improvement of aquifer storage and the management of groundwater resources to assure the sustainability of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

From our President

It was a long and demanding year, as in many parts of the world we began the process of stepping out of the shadow of the Covid epidemic, with opportunities to participate in so many activities.

The pandemic cast a long shadow, though, and our colleagues in Wuhan, were forced to take the decision to hold the 2022 IAH World Groundwater Congress online. Despite this, there were record audiences at times, as thousands attended some of the plenary sessions.

IAH’s authoritative views and support were very much in demand throughout the year, in support of World Water Day and “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible”. IAH was also awarded the status of Associate Partner of UNESCO, in recognition of the assistance we have provided for many years, particularly to the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme. We can expect this to continue and grow, along with IAH’s reputation.

We featured strongly at the UN Groundwater Summit in Paris in December, a high-level event where we were able to display our credentials to a wide-ranging audience of policy- and decision-makers and help show the contribution that groundwater can make to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The new IAH Strategy to 2030 points the way to the increasing importance of groundwater and the work we all have to do for its sustainable management in a changing world. It also shows the way for improving the support for all our members – and would-be members – across the world. We thank all our members who contributed to events and activities around the world as part of this “Year for Groundwater”. Thank you to our Chapters, Commissions and Networks and all who keep these vital groups running.

Professor David Kreamer