Mission of ICOLD

ICOLD leads the profession in setting standards and guidelines to ensure that dams are built and operated safely, efficiently, economically, and are environmentally sustainable and socially equitable.

ICOLD wishes to be the world's leading professional organization, dedicated to advancing the art and science of dam engineering and promoting the wise and sustainable development and managment of world's water and hydropower resources.

ICOLD is assisting nations to prepare to meet the challenges of the 21st century in the development and managment of the world's water and hydropower resources.

History/About ICOLD

The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) is a non-governmental International Organization which provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering.

The Organization leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without detrimental effects on the environment. Its original aim was to encourage advances in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of large dams and their associated civil works, by collecting and disseminating relevant information and by studying related technical questions.

Since the late sixties, focus was put on subjects of current concern such as dam safety, monitoring of performance, reanalysis of older dams and spillways, effects of ageing and environmental impact. More recently, new subjects include cost studies at the planning and construction stages, harnessing international rivers, information for the public at large, and financing.

Organization

The General Assembly consisting of representatives from all the Member Countries and of the Officers of the Commission. The meeting is held during the Annual Meeting. Any independent country can become a "Member Country" and constitute a National Committee consisting of persons competent in the matters relating to dams. The General Assembly is in charge of resolving all questions concerning organisation and direction of studies, investigations and experiments, administration of all funds and properties, operation of the Central Office and any other relevant business of the Commission ; it shall approve the budget of receipts and expenditure, appoint and organise all Committees, and elect new Member Countries.

The Board consisting of the President, the six Vice Presidents, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer. Officers are elected by the Commission on a three-year mandate non-renewable except for Secretary-General and Treasurer.

The Central Office established in Paris and dealing with the business of the Commission. The Central Office is under the general direction of the President assisted by the Secretary General and Treasurer and the staff necessary for the efficient working of the Office.

The Technical Committees and Administrative and Special Committees appointed by the Commission. The official languages are French and English.