ICQHS

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran formally submitted to UNESCO a detailed proposal for the establishment of the International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures in Yazd, Iran under the auspices of UNESCO, which finally met with the 32nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO’s approval. According to this approval, an agreement on the establishment of the center was signed by the director general of UNESCO and the Iran’s minister of energy on March 26th 2005.
Following that agreement, the Headquarters for the International Center on Qanats and Historic, Hydraulic Structures was designed and built in Yazd. This building, with an area of 2000 square meters is located downtown surrounded by some other research centers in Yazd. It enjoys a dome-like roof and an octagonal building with a pool in the middle reminding us of the Qanat vestibules.

Missions and Objectives
The main mission of the International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures is emphasis on recognition, transfer of knowledge and experiences, promotion of information and capacities with regard to all the aspects of Qanat technology and other historic hydraulic structures to fulfill sustainable development of water resources and the public welfare within the communities whose existence depend on the rational exploitation of the resources and preservation of such historical structures.
Another mission is to promote research and development to restore the Qanats and the other traditional historic hydraulic structures for sustainable development objectives through International cooperation and global transfer of knowledge and technology.
Preservation of cultural values regarding the materialistic and spiritual frameworks is another important objective of the Center.