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The World Irrigation Forum is a flagship event of the ICID involving international leaders of water management, irrigation professionals, international organization & governments.
The WIF4 was inaugured by H.E. Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Malaysia, and Dr. Marco Arcieri, President ICID besides other dignitaries. Sharing glimpses of the opening ceremony, High Level Advisory Group meeting, International Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC), IEC Plenary Session & World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) award ceremony.
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Newly Elected Office Bearers (2025 – 2028)
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| Mr. Sanjeeb Baral (Nepal) | Engr. (Mrs.) Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi (Nigeria) |
Congratulations !!!
Fourth World Irrigation and Drainage Prize, 2025
Dr. Zhanyi Gao (China), received the 4th World Irrigation and Drainage Prize, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
During the Opening Ceremony of WIF4, H.E. Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Malaysia, and Dr. Marco Arcieri, President ICID, besides other dignitaries presented the 4th World Irrigation and Drainage Prize, 2025 to Dr. Zhanyi Gao (China) for his extraordinary contributions to the global advancement of irrigation and drainage during his illustrious career, spanning over 36 years, exemplifying unparalleled leadership, innovation, and commitment to the field of agricultural water management; for carrying out groundbreaking research and strategic vision driving the modernization of more than 450 large-scale irrigation systems and adoption of water-saving technologies across about 300 counties in China, profoundly enhancing agricultural productivity while championing sustainability; for shaping national and international policies, fostering global collaboration, and inspiring countless professionals through his dedication to education and training. His visionary leadership as the former President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (CID) has left an indelible mark, notably through the establishment of transformative initiatives such as the World Irrigation Forum (WIF) and the World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) program.
This award honors Dr. Goa's enduring legacy as a pioneer and global steward of sustainable water management, whose work continues to nourish communities and cultivate a more resilient future for agriculture worldwide.
The WID prize comprised of a cash award of US$ 10,000, citation and a trophy.
Winners of the Best Paper Award 2025
The Wiley 2025 Best Paper Award was awarded to Edson Costa-Filho, José L. Chavez, and Huihui Zhang for their paper titled "Assessing multi-sensor hourly maize evapotranspiration estimation using a one-source surface energy balance approach?" Volume 73, Issue 3, July 2024, of the Irrigation and Drainage.
Winners of WatSave Awards 2025
1. Technology Award
Ms. Hong Li, Professor, Vice Principal, Jiangsu University, China
For her work on "Intelligent sprinkler irrigation equipment and systems assist water-saving in agriculture?"
Congratulations !!!
2. Innovative Water Management Award
Dr. Sebinasi Dzikiti, Senior Researcher, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
For his work on "Decision support system for water use of irrigated tree crops?"Congratulations !!!
3. Young Professional
Mr. Khaldoon Ibrahim Abbas, Director of the Al-Raed Research Station, Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources (Iraq)
For his work on "Soil and crop service machine and subsurface drip irrigation pipe installation"Congratulations !!!
4. Farmer
Mr. Mahmood Rahdari, Mrs. Fereshteh Moradi Kahre, Mr. Mohammad Amin Rahdari, Mr. Abolfazi Rahdari (Iran)
For their work on "The Comprehensive Knowledge Flow and Transition from Traditional Agriculture to Innovative and Exemplary Agriculture"
Congratulations !!!
ICID Register of World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) 2025
ICID identifies, recognizes, and maintains a record of World Heritage Irrigation Structures of archival value that are over a century old and contribute to understanding the evolution of irrigation systems among civilizations worldwide. This concept was proposed at the 63rd International Executive Council (IEC) Meeting held in Adelaide, Australia, in 2012. The aim is to conserve these heritage structures for future generations, similar to the world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO. In 2025, ICID recognized twenty-three heritage structures.
[Online Register ] [ Scheme & Nomination Form ]
23 irrigation structures were included in the ICID Register of World Heritage Irrigation Structures (HIS) in 2025.
- China (4): (i) Chishan Lake Irrigation System; (ii) Jianjiangyan Irrigation System; (iii) Mentougou Ancient Canals of Yongding River; (iv) Yuanyang Hani Terraces
- India (4): (i) Cheyyar Anicut; (ii) Ekrukh Medium Project; (iii) Kodiveri Anicut and Channel System; (iv) Noyyal River System Tanks
- Italy (4): (i) Sportone di Maderno; (ii) The Hydraulic Axis of the Clitunno; (iii) Marmore Falls and Velino-Nera System; (iv) Monte Pacciano Reservoir
- Japan (2): (i) Taketa Irrigation System; (ii) Yunokuchi Tameike Irrigation System
- Malaysia (1): Bukit Merah Dam (BMD)
- South Africa (4): (i) Darlington Dam; (ii) Hartbeespoort Dam; (iii) Koppies Dam; (iv) Woodhead Dam
- Thailand (1): Rama VI Barrage
- Türkiye (1): Bey?ehir Regulator (Stone Bridge)
- Uzbekistan (2): (i) Dustlik Canal; (ii) Eski Tuyatortar Canal
So far, 202 World Heritage Irrigation Structures have been recognized by ICID. For details, please visit https://icid-ciid.org/award/whis
High Level Advisory Group
The meeting of the High-Level Advisory Group (HLAG) was attended by representatives of Malaysia, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Spain, and of the international organizations, ICID, FAO and WWC. Each country introduced its statues of water resources and irrigation and drainage development. The following aspects were highlighted:
- irrigation and drainage are vital for achieving food security and poverty alleviation, employment and economy, especially for developing and least developed countries more people depend on irrigated agriculture for livelihood;
- for increasing food production and economic growth all the countries are planning to develop new irrigated areas and are working on modernization of aged irrigation and drainage systems by improving and upgrading structures, reforming management institutions, applying water saving technologies for increasing efficiency, productivity and saving labour;
- increased resilience of irrigation and drainage systems is important for food security, and adaptation to climate change. More efforts need to be given to sustainable development of irrigated agriculture by water use for ecosystems and by control of pollution;
- Government support is still a cornerstone for irrigation and drainage development in developing countries. The partnership of government and private sector is becoming more and more important for sustainable operating, maintenance and modernization of irrigation and drainage systems;
- research and application of modern technologies are vital for irrigation development. Pilot projects and training are important for introduction of new technologies in practice;
- water, energy and food nexus needs to be investigated and reviewed in a holistic way in the planning and design of new irrigation projects and modernization of existing irrigation systems;
- the delegates agreed and promised to keep close communication and cooperation with each other.
Kuala Lumpur Forum Statement 2025
Recognizing the importance of sustainable agricultural water management and to bring it to the forefront, starting from 2013, the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has been triennially organizing the World Irrigation Forum (WIF). The Forum aims to bring together the stakeholders under one roof, including policymakers, experts, researchers, academics, non-governmental organizations and farmers, among others. It provides a platform for the world irrigation and drainage community and interested development professionals to find solutions to problems plaguing agricultural water management, in a time of rapidly changing demographics and dietary habits, under...read more
Publications Released
- Abstract Volume of the 4th World Irrigation Forum, Malaysia, September 2025
- Full-Length Papers of the 4th World Irrigation Forum, Malaysia, September 2025
- Proceedings of the International Workshops on Irrigation Water Sustainability and Food Security under Climate Change
- Proceedings of the International Workshops on Implementation of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus for Building Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development
- Proceedings of the International Workshops on the ICID Task Force on Women Empowerment in Water Management (ICID TF-WEWM)
Workshop Report
Special Publications
- Guide to Innovated Irrigation and Drainage Management under the Changing Climate
- Environmental Drainage
- Guidelines for Irrigation with Reclaimed Water
- Road Map to ICID Vision 2030- and Three-Year Rolling Plan
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