First Japanese ICID President Elected
Overview
On October 17, 2026, at the 77th International Executive Council meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in Marseille, France, an election for the next president was held, and Professor Emeritus Tsugihiro Watanabe of Kyoto University was elected. He is the first Japanese person to become president since ICID was founded in 1950. The term is three years.
Key points
- Professor Emeritus Tsugihiro Watanabe of Kyoto University was elected ICID president-elect.
- He will be the first Japanese person to become president since ICID was founded.
- The president's term is three years.
Overview
The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) is a voluntary, nonprofit, nongovernmental international organization established in 1950 to strengthen the global supply of food and fiber through scientific and technical knowledge related to irrigation and drainage. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, India, and Japan joined in 1951.
On October 17, 2026, at the 77th International Executive Council meeting in Marseille, France, an election for the next president was held. With a candidate from Russia also running, Professor Emeritus Tsugihiro Watanabe of Kyoto University was elected by the International Executive Council.
Details
ICID is also the certifying body for the World Heritage Irrigation Structures program.
This is the first election of a representative from Japan in ICID's more than 70-year history.