As the sun sets on another year and we stand on the threshold of 2024, I am filled with immense pride and hope. Reflecting on the journey of the past year, we have navigated through challenges and celebrated significant milestones, driven by our unwavering commitment to excellence in hydro-environment engineering and research. Your contributions have been instrumental in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future, and for that, I extend my heartfelt gratitude.

The past year was a testament to our collective efforts and achievements. We are now supported by 5300+ members globally. Our portal website attracted a total pageviews of 620,000. We witnessed remarkable advancements in our research initiatives by our 19 technical committees and 6 working groups, a testament to the pioneering spirit that defines our community since 1935. We organized not only another successful world congress in Vienna, Austria, but also physical symposiums, colloquiums, training schools, conferences, and online webinars and short courses, providing vibrant platforms for knowledge exchange, showcasing groundbreaking research and innovative solutions in water management, environmental sustainability, and hydraulic engineering. These well-attended gatherings not only fostered academic and professional growth but also strengthened our global network, uniting experts from diverse backgrounds in a shared mission.

Our journal publications continued to set benchmarks in the field, disseminating cutting-edge research and insights. In 2023, IAHR’s International Journal of River Basin Management (JRBM) and Journal of Applied Water Engineering and Research (JAWER) were receiving an impact factor for the first time. IAHR’s Journal of Ecohydraulics was accepted in the Web of Science Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

In addition to journals, IAHR’s portfolio of knowledge products also includes many others. IAHR continued to publish its open-access Water Monographs that presents hydro-environmental topics in an appealing readable and well-illustrated manner, this year on vortex-flow intakes. IAHR’s magazine, Hydrolink, published four special issues on sustainable development goals, hydropower, net zero and water transfer. IAHR’s online document library now has 42 collections of 6,000+ articles, with 5.6 million visits and 1.7 million downloads accumulatively since 2020. IAHR’s online video library now has 124 collections of 1300+ video clips for a total duration of about 500 hours, with 1.74 million views accumulatively.

Through these knowledge products, IAHR has reinforced its position as a beacon of knowledge, guiding the scientific community and policymakers alike. Our members, through their relentless pursuit of excellence, have contributed significantly to these products, making them a rich repository of wisdom and innovation.

The 4th edition of the Young Professionals Congress held in November has attracted more than 1,000 registered participants and generated 40K+ web visits. This event, now well established within our community, is a perfect demonstration of the vitality of our younger members and their willingness to engage themselves within water issues. The gained momentum will be amplified with the coming events and the extension of Young Professional networks.

As we step into 2024, we embrace new challenges and opportunities with renewed vigor. The coming year will see us delve deeper into critical areas such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, energy transition, food and water security, nature preservation, resilience improvement against water hazards and disaster, and the role of digital technologies in revolutionizing our field. These focus areas are not mere goals; they are our commitment to the planet and future generations. We aim to lead the way in research and solutions that address the urgent needs of our times.

Our vision for the future is clear and compelling. We aspire to be the global hub for knowledge, innovation, and solutions in hydro-environment engineering and research. In the year ahead, I encourage every member of our community to actively engage with IAHR’s initiatives. Your expertise, passion, and vision are the lifeblood of our association. Whether you are a researcher, practitioner, policy maker, or student, your contributions are vital in shaping the future of hydro-environment engineering and research. I urge you to participate in our 20+ conferences held all over the world and virtually, contribute to our journals, and collaborate with peers across the globe. Together, we can create a powerful synergy that drives innovation and progress, accelerate water engineering and science for resilient societies and healthy environments.

In closing, I extend my warmest wishes to you and your families for the New Year. May 2024 be a year of health, happiness, and remarkable achievements for all of us. Thank you for your continued dedication and support.

With my warmest regards,