There is renewed impetus worldwide for hydropower development, as new policies developed in recent years are leading to concrete actions. Greater sensitivity to environmental issues, improved communications with stakeholders, and innovative approaches to project financing have all played a role.

But many challenges remain: water and energy needs in the less developed countries make accelerated development essential. Worldwide, more complex sites have to be tackled, making safety issues critical. Uncertainties about climate change have implications for the planning of water infrastructure. The elegant city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, in the heart of southern Europe, has been chosen as a central meeting point to discuss global hydropower development at HYDRO 2008. Delegates will assemble from Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Americas and of course all parts of Europe.

Development needs will be outlined, and all practical aspects for meeting those needs (technical, financial, social and environmental) will be discussed over three days during the Conference. International companies will have the opportunity to demonstrate their products and services at the Technical Exhibition, and Tours to multipurpose dams, hydro plants and pumped-storage schemes will follow the Conference. Emphasis will be on furthering the implementation of well planned hydro schemes in all parts of the world, and also on maximizing the value of existing hydro plants by timely refurbishment and upgrading.