UNESCO-IHP HELP/
Ecohydrology International Symposium on Restoring and Managing River for Future

 Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen!

 I am profoundly honored to be standing here today, representing Yeungnam University to congratulate the international symposium on Restoring and Managing River for the Future, hosted by UNESCO-IHP, HELP and the International Hydrologic Environmental Society (IHES), and commemorate the opening of the Daegu Gyeongbuk Water Forum (DGWF).

 It goes without saying that water is the origin of our life and basic resource for industry. At present, Korea has many hurdles in terms of water shortages. There is a growing concern about water pollution and water shortages we are especially intersted in these issues in Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region due to its geographical location near Nakdong River. In this avenue, Yeungnam University can play an important role through the application of hosting the 7th World Water Forum in Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region.

 At Yeungnam University, the Departments of Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, the Research Institute of Disaster Prevention and the Environmental Research Institute are known as excellent academic curriculum and research competitiveness in the field of water.

 Dr. Soon-tak Lee, Chunma Chair Professor of Yeungnam University was elected as the Council Chair of the UNESCO IHP which is the international scientific cooperative program in water research, water resources management, education and capacity-building. In addition to this, Yeungnam University will channel all its energy into the 7th World Water Forum in 2015 to be hosted by the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region.

 I hope that this UNESCO-IHP HELP/Ecohydrology International Symposium will provide a forum for both solving water shortage problems in the world and the development of technology in restoring and managing rivers in our nation.

 Gumho River, which runs near Yeungnam University, will be mentioned in this symposium since this river was designated to be supported by the HELP project. In the past, there was a time that the river was polluted and had water shortages. However, we succeeded in restoring and securing the water resources through our collective efforts. In this regard, I would like to submit to you that the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region will be the principal location to host the 7th World Water Forum in 2015 based on its successful case of the restoration of the Gumho River.

 In closing, I hope today''s occasion will be the foundation for future success in restoring and managing rivers and also hope this symposium will provide an opportunity for all the participants to enjoy not only discussion of water resources and rivers, but also its traditional history and culture in Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region.

Thank you.

2011. 04.13