The Argentine Chapter of the IAH, with ALHSUD and the National University of La Pampa, jointly held the XII Argentine and the XVI Latin American Hydrogeology Congress. This formed a special tribute to Dr. Emilio Custodio, in recognition of his contributions to human resource development and the study of groundwater in Argentina.
Our Belgium National Chapter introduced the ‘CBH-BCH Grant 2024: Empowering Future Hydrogeologists!’ This was made possible with funding generated by IAH2021, the IAH congress held in Brussels. The grant of up to €1000 aims to help a student member at a Belgian university participate in an IAH event – a congress, workshop, multi-day seminar, colloquium, or similar event.
China National Chapter participated in successful conferences: the ‘International Forum on Groundwater 2024’ at Changchun, co-hosted by Jilin University, the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences; and the ‘2024 International Conference on Sustainable Water and Environment’ co-hosted by Chang’an University, China and Zululand University, South Africa. More than 1000 delegates in total attended the events, with delegates from across the world strengthening international academic exchange and cooperation.
Our Indian Chapter held their International Conference ‘Addressing Challenges of Groundwater and Environmental Hazard Management through Socio scientific and Technological Approaches’, in association with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, Mumbai. A summary of the Chapter’s achievements and events can be found at https://tinyurl.com/IAH-IndiaNC-Report.
The Japanese Chapter held their ‘Groundwater Sustainability’ symposium with speakers from Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the UK, the presenters also taking part in a lively discussion about the sustainability of groundwater resources with online participants from across the world.
The IAH Mexican chapter held a webinar attracting 100 participants, which aimed to foster knowledge exchange, showcase best practices, and spark discussions concerning the nexus between water and mining. Watch the recording at https://youtu.be/2D378f68dro
The Nambian National Chapter celebrated World Water Day 2024 by taking part in the world water run, now added on to their annual calendar. This also gave them a platform to introduce hydrogeology to a wider audience. There is more about the Chapter at http://www.nha.com.na.
The Spanish National Chapter held conferences, workshops and training courses. At the ‘Congreso Ibérico de Aguas Subterráneas’ in La Coruña, which attracted over 100 participants, an award for the best scientific presentation by a young researcher was presented, with a €1,500 prize sponsored by the Ramón Areces Foundation. For the third year, IAH members introduced IAH to students on Spanish master’s programmes, highlighting its activities and membership benefits. The chapter also continued to promote Hydrogeoday, an outreach activity aimed at raising awareness about hydrogeology in Spain, and now across the world.
Our annual congress was hosted by our Swiss National Chapter in Davos, marked by the handover of the ‘groundwater torch’, received from South Africa after being replenished following the Cape Town Congress. At the closing ceremony it was passed on to Australian colleagues in readiness for the next Congress in Melbourne. You can watch interviews from Davos at Interviews – YouTube.
You can find out more about all of our chapters on their websites – see National Chapters – IAH – The International Association of Hydrogeologists