National Security Advisory Board's Devendra Sharma Elected Head Of World Body On Large Dams

Last Updated:June 03, 2025, 21:37 IST

The Commission on Large Dams, established in 1928 with its head office in Paris, France, has 107 member countries, including India

Sharma won the election in a direct contest against a candidate from the United States. File image/News18

Devendra Kumar Sharma, a member of the Security Advisory Board, has been elected president of the Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) during a secret ballot held in Chengdu, China, at the General Assembly of the 93rd Annual General Body Meeting and 28th Congress of ICOLD. His term will last from June 2025 to 2028. Sharma won the election in a direct contest against a candidate from the United States.

The Commission on Large Dams, established in 1928 with its head office in Paris, France, has 107 member countries, including India. The Indian Committee on Large Dams became a member in 1930. Each member country has one vote in the annual General Assembly elections, held in different countries every year. ICOLD’s members collaborate to exchange knowledge in the planning, design, construction, and safety of dams.

Since India became a member in 1930, this is only the second time an Indian has been elected president of ICOLD. Sharma previously served as chairman of the Asia Pacific Group of ICOLD and co-chaired the “World Declaration on the Role of Dams for Energy Transition and Climate Change Adaptation".

ICOLD leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without environmental harm. It provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering and encourages advances in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of large dams and their associated civil works. ICOLD’s 29 technical committees, consisting of over 600 experts worldwide, produce detailed technical publications known as ICOLD Bulletins.

In his address to the General Assembly, Sharma noted that his election is a significant milestone for the commission, given his background from a developing country. He brings extensive expertise in dam and hydroelectric project construction and has served in various government departments in India at both the state and central levels. Sharma has outlined an ambitious mandate for the ICOLD community.

His election is expected to benefit India by advancing dam safety, sharing Indian experiences globally, and promoting new hydroelectric projects, water storage, and energy transition. Sharma is committed to enhancing gender diversity, inclusivity, and the participation of under-represented national committees in annual events. He also aims to address climate change challenges related to dams, develop hydropower in underutilised regions, and focus on capacity building and knowledge exchange. Sharma hails from a village in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.

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