Representatives of Japan`s Public Works Research Institute (PWRI), participated in the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Bureau`s 36th Session from 31 March to 2 April 2004 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in order to present Japan`s proposal for a new International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management under the auspices of UNESCO. The Bureau approved the proposal, marking the first step towards official approval at UNESCO`s General Conference in autumn 2005. The Centre aims to promote research, training, and information networking at the global level.