Definition and Responsibilities of the Coordinating Committee

The Coordinating Committee (CC) of INSHP is an international body. It is the policy and decision maker in the Network. It is responsible for the examination and approval of the Network's work plan, financial arrangement and enlisting of membership, etc. It is the governing and supervising body in the Network.

In normal case, the members of the Coordinating Committee meet annually to discuss the work of the Network. At least 50% of current CC members （or its authorized representative）must be in attendance at the CC meetings to constitute a quorum and therefore make decisions on behalf of the Network. If quorum is not established, issues requiring a decision which affect the nature, policy, strategy of IN-SHP can be discussed, but decisions must be deferred until after consultation with other CC members. Decisions are reached on the basis of a majority (50%+1) of members in attendance.

CC members are responsible for attending the aforementioned annual meetings, making decisions to guide the strategic orientation and work of INSHP, contacting potential new members, promoting the work of INSHP among interested parties and advancing the work of INSHP through cooperation with HIC and among its members. In addition to paying their regular membership dues, CC members are responsible for facilitating funding of INSHP activities.

Composition of the Coordinating Committee

The institution of the Coordinating Committee is composed of Chair, Vice Chairs and members.  In addition, an Honorary Chair(s) will be chosen to oversee the work of INSHP.

The CC members are INSHP member organizations which express an interest in participating in the CC. ICSHP will maintain up to date this list of member organizations and inform the CC members accordingly. 

Each organization designates one representative to the CC. In the event that an organization wishes to change its representative, ICSHP reserves the right to screen the new nominee to ensure he/she is at a level consistent with the previous representative.  Such changes to the CC are effective as soon as the organization gives notices and do not need to be confirmed at CC meetings.

Organizations who have representatives holding the position of Chair or Vice-Chair may nominate an additional CC member to act as the day-to-day contact with INSHP, at its discretion.

Election of CC Members

INSHP Officials, namely the Honorary Chair, Chair and Vice Chair, are nominated by INSHP members and elected by the CC members at their annual meeting. Each position has a term of office of 3 years. At the end of the term of office, Officials are required to indicate their intention to run for re-election or resign their Official position to ICSHP, preferably in writing, no less than 30 days before the CC meeting marking the end of the 3 year term. At that time, the INSHP officials will propose a new list of CC member organizations for confirmation by the CC at the annual meeting marking the end of the three year term.

Additional INSHP member organizations may be invited to join the CC by the Honorary Chair, Chair, Vice-Chairs of the Network, the Director of ICSHP, representatives from the Network's regional focal points, from the UN system, plus nominees from country focal points, international organizations and companies, NGOs and other institutions. Confirmation of new CC members will be made at the annual CC meetings.

No absolute maximum number of CC members is set. However, efforts will be made to keep the number of CC members to a manageable size of approximately 30.  Therefore, no new CC members should be invited if the current number of CC members is greater than 30. Exceptions to this guideline in special circumstances can be made with the approval of the Chair of the CC, Director of ICSHP and at least one other CC member.

The 8th Coordinating Committee of INSHP

In May, 2024, the 8th Coordinating Committee of the International Network on Small Hydro Power (INSHP) was elected, consisting of 25 members from the United Nations system, international organization, Europe, Asia, Africa, America and specialized institutions. Compared to the 7th Coordinating Committee, new members from Belt and Road and BRICS countries such as Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Brazil, as well as specialized institutions such as the International Hydropower Association and the Brazilian Small Hydro Power Association have been included.

HER EXCELLENCE Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe, Secretary-General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), was appointed as the Honorary Chairwoman of the 8th Coordinating Committee; Mr. Xu Dezhi, Deputy Director General (DG level) of the Department of Rural Water and Hydropower, Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China, was appointed as the Chairman of the 8th Coordinating Committee; Mr. Xu Jincai, Director of the International Center on Small Hydro Power, was appointed as the Director General of INSHP; and Mr. Yue Menghua, Deputy Director of the International Center on Small Hydro Power, was appointed as the Deputy Director General of INSHP.