The International Sediment Initiative (ISI) has been launched by UNESCO as a major activity of the current 6th phase (2002–2006) of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). ISI is expected to add a new dimension to ongoing efforts aiming at sustainable sediment management, in the context of sustainable water resources development at global scale.

From June 2005 to May 2006 period, the activities of ISI continued to be focused on its overall objectives, aimed at increased awareness about sediment dynamics and erosion issues in all spheres of water management, aimed at the promotion of sustainable management of soil and sediment resources at local, regional and global scale. Within the scope of ongoing activities, considerable progress has been achieved in the Global Evaluation of Sediment Transport (GEST-project) and in setting up Sediment Information System (an establishment of more than a Database) in the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (IRTCES) in Beijing, China.

The ISI information system will accomplish three main purposes and those could each be achieved through three mechanisms: (a) Information access: through the creation of a global information resource portal; (b) Information repository: through the establishment of a sediment database and other information, and (c) Information development: through the implementation of strategic training activities. These three purposes and mechanisms are mutually supportive.

This Global Sediment Information system is currently under construction. It will be ready by early November 2006, just before the first ISI International Conference, 12-15 November 2006, in Khartoum, Sudan. It will be linked to UNESCO water portal, and if possible, output of ISI will be contributed to the third edition of the World Water Development Report. ISI could ensure that outcomes of the Information System be useful for stakeholders, by identifying their data needs and approving advice serving system for which data should be collected.For more information, please visit the recently launched ISI website: www.irtces.org/isi