The International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) is a non-profit non-governmental

Non-governmental organization

A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...

 scientific organization committed to serving the science of hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...

 and the worldwide community of hydrologists. The IAHS was established in 1922, and presently claims a membership in excess of 5000, from over 130 countries.

Nine international scientific commissions deal with the hydrological cycle, water resources, and specific techniques. Other working groups and initiatives address particular issues.

Governance

IAHS is one of the eight associations that comprise the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics

International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics

The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the scientific study of the Earth using geophysical and geodesic techniques. The IUGG was established in 1919. Some areas within its scope are environmental preservation, reduction of the effects of...

. In accordance with the IAHS statutes and by-laws, the IAHS officers and commissioners are elected every four years by national representatives at IAHS assemblies.

National representation

Official contact between the IAHS and member countries is via the national representative in each country who acts as a focal point and channel for communication. If there is a national IUGG committee (usually appointed by the national academy of sciences or equivalent), the IAHS representative is nominated by it, or its IAHS subcommittee. Member countries may also appoint national correspondents of the Commissions.

Publications

IAHS Press fulfills the IAHS mission of worldwide dissemination of research results and practice, and raises funds, by publishing and selling the Hydrological Sciences Journal and Benchmark books. The IAHS Newsletter is distributed free to members..

Finance

IAHS is a UK registered charity; all revenues are used to support the aims of the Association. The greater part of IAHS’ funding is raised through the sale of IAHS publications.

IAHS works closely with IUGG, International Council for Science

International Council for Science

The International Council for Science , formerly the International Council of Scientific Unions, was founded in 1931 as an international non-governmental organization devoted to international co-operation in the advancement of science...

 (ICSU), UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

, World Meteorological Organization

World Meteorological Organization

The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...

 (WMO), International Atomic Energy Agency

International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...

 (IAEA) and WWC

WWC

WWC is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* Woodrow Wilson Center* Walla Walla College, the former name of Walla Walla University* Whitman-Walker Clinic, an HIV/AIDS medical care organization in Washington, D.C.* World Weightlifting Championships...

, and often collaborates with organizations such as International Association of Hydrologists (IAH), International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research

International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research

The International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research , founded in 1935, is a worldwide, non-profit, independent organisation of engineers and water specialists working in fields related to the hydro-environment and in particular with reference to hydraulics and its practical...

 (IAHR) and Inland Waterways Association

Inland Waterways Association

The Inland Waterways Association was formed in 1946 as a registered charity in the United Kingdom to campaign for the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and sensitive development of British Canals and river navigations....

(IWA).