Mr Li Yuan, Vice Minister of Land and Resources deliver a speech on behalf of Honorary Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress ,Minister Sun Wensheng of Land and Resources

Mr. Yun Xiaosu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, Vice Minister of Land and Resources is in the chair at the opening ceremony of the Congress.

Mr. Meng Xianlai, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, Director- General of China Geological Survey reads the congratulatory letter written by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan., PRC.

Mr. Stephen Foster, President of IAH delivers a speech on the opening ceremony.

Andrew Skinner, Executive Manager of IAH also delivers a speech on the opening ceremony.

　 The 34th Congress of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), is held at Beijing International Convention Center from Oct.9 to Oct.13 2006, Beijing , China . The Congress is sponsored by the Ministry of Land and Resources of China and IAH, and organized by China Geological Survey and China Chapter of IAH. The theme of the Congress is “Groundwater—Present and Future”. Some world-known hydrogeologists are invited to attend the congress and sessions. More than 500 hydrogeologists from 57 countries gathered in Beijing to discuss the common issues on survey, assessment, planning, management, protection and rational utilization of groundwater resources, including groundwater quality, groundwater safety and contamination recovery, and groundwater management in the context of rural and urban development.

　 Water is an important foundation for human survival and development. Groundwater is an important part of water resources and plays an important role in guaranteeing water supply and maintaining ecological environment. To maintain the sustained utilization of water resources and to guarantee drinking water safety has always topped the agenda of governments. the Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan of the State Council of People's Republic of China especially sent the Congratulatory Letter to the 34 th Congress of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.

　 On the opening ceremony, Mr Li Yuan, Vice Minister of Land and Resources deliver a speech on behalf of Honorary Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, Minister Sun Wensheng of Land and Resources. Mr. Meng Xianlai, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, Director General of China Geological Survey reads the congratulation letter written by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan.

　 Mr. Stephen Foster, President of IAH and Mr. Andrew Skinner, Executive Manager of IAH also delivers a speech on the opening ceremony. Mr. Yun Xiaosu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Congress, Vice Minister of Land and Resources chaired the opening ceremony of the Congress.

　 Following nine topics of the congress are focused on :

　 1) Water resources and sustainable development ； 2) Exploitation and utilization of groundwater---past and future ； 3)Regional groundwater system evolution laws and tendency ； 4) Groundwater conservation and ecological function ； 5) Sustainable utilization of groundwater in urban and rural areas ； 6) Groundwater quality safety and water pollution recovery ； 7) Special types of groundwater---geothermal water, soil water and condensed water ； 8) Application of isotope technique in groundwater investigation ； 9) Groundwater exploration technique ；

　 The Congress lasts for five days, including two days and half for the academic exchanges, one day for the inter-congress field investigation and one day for IAH commissions' activities. During the congress, the exhibition for the hydrogeological achievements and related products is also arranged.

　 The Congress provides a platform to the hydrogeologists in promoting international cooperation, rational exploitation of groundwater and environmental protection.