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.
|