On Friday, participants attended sessions on the potential for combining renewable energy technologies, regional hydropower development and markets and incentives. Speakers emphasized that the objectives of hydroelectric projects will only be achieved when social, environmental and economic concerns are all taken into account to ensure sustainability and respond to the challenges of green growth.

A closing session on the future of sustainable hydropower was followed by IHA's biennial general meeting, which presented the report of work undertaken from 2010-2011 and the report of the governance committee and outlined the process, deadlines and nominees for the upcoming board election. Participants applauded IHA President Abdel-Malek as a leader and champion across multiple fora for the IHA and congratulated all those who worked in the development of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol. It was announced that the next IHA Congress will be held in Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2013. In the evening, participants were invited to a closing banquet.

Full web coverage available here: 17 June

On Thursday, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) World Congress on Advancing Sustainable Hydropower held plenary sessions on: assessing sustainability performance, diverging views on social issues and sharing water for development. A press conference was held to launch the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, and a session was held on how to use the Protocol. Parallel sessions also addressed downstream flow regimes and hydropower in the 21st century. In the evening, participants were invited to a light and sound show at Itaipu Dam.

The main discussions held through the day concerned the use of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, an instrument that is the fruit of a three-year revision process engaging both the industry and NGOs. Participants highlighted the importance of testing the Protocol on the ground, promoting its widespread use among IHA members, and other stakeholders. They emphasized that it does not constitute a standard, and recognized that as a scoring tool, it reduces complex social issues to numbers. However, the value of the Protocol as an instrument was highlighted, not just to assess sustainability per se, but to provide a common language for dialogue among all actors in the process, including affected communities, and act as a bridge between different world views.

Speakers emphasized that the Protocol should be seen as strengthening and including, not displacing, the recommendations from the World Commission on Dams.

Full web coverage available here: 16 June

On Wednesday, 15 June, participants gathered for the opening session of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) World Congress on Advancing Sustainable Hydropower, followed by a special intervention by the World Energy Council and a panel-led discussion on integrating water and energy policies.

In the afternoon, participants took part in sessions on climate change and hydropower, a presentation on the Belo Monte hydropower project, and parallel sessions on: hydropower’s greenhouse gas footprint; hydropower and water consumption; and hydropower development and freshwater conservation.

Among other things, discussions highlighted increased dialogue amongst all stakeholders, the importance of hydropower in combating climate change, and early planning and coordination for successful hydropower projects to lessen impacts on surrounding communities and environment.

In the evening, participants were invited to a full moon dinner at Iguaçu Falls.

Full web coverage available here: 15 June

The International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) World Congress opened on Tuesday, 14 June 2011, with a networking tour providing participants with a chance to take in the highlights of Foz do Iguaçu, and meet each other before the start of the Congress’ packed schedule of meetings. Participants toured the Itaipu Dam, which is shared by Brazil and Paraguay, donning hard-hats for a guided look at the system that produces over 90 million MWh of power per year for the two countries, making it the world’s largest hydropower installation in terms of generation capacity.

Participants were led through the Bela Vista Ecological Refuge, a local conservation programme, watching a video about its operations, education and research projects, before walking the Refuge’s trails to see indigenous flora and fauna, including jaguars, macaws, marsh deer, and others. The tour culminated with a visit to Iguaçu Falls, where participants braved the spray of the falls for photographs of the 275 waterfalls and cataracts, including Garganta del Diablo.

IHA's Consultative Council convened in the afternoon to discuss ideas for the IHA's work in the next two year and beyond. In the evening, participants attended a welcome reception and dinner.

Full web coverage available here: 14 June

On Monday, 13 June 2011, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) began convening preliminary events that will lead into its 2011 biennial World Congress on Advancing Sustainable Hydropower in the latter half of the week.

Throughout the day, the IHA, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank convened the first Global Workshop on Regional Cooperation for Hydropower Development, with opening remarks by Miguel Zydan Soria (ITAIPU Binacional) and IHA Executive Director Richard Taylor.

Participants heard panel presentations on themes including accessing international markets for power, regional trading of power between nations, hydropower on transboundary issues, and structuring for public and private sector involvement. Each panel was met with numerous questions from participants, and several lively discussions ensued. After the thematic sessions, rapporteurs offered summaries of each theme, and Song Dongsheng (Sinohydro Corporation) gave comments on the day's discussions.

In the afternoon, members of the IHA Sustainability Network met to discuss the upcoming launch of a new revision of the IHA's sustainability protocol during this week's Congress, and future goals.

Full web coverage available here: 13 June