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It gives me immense pleasure that the Government of Andhra Pradesh, on behalf of Indian National Committee, is hosting the historic 25^thCongress and 74^th IEC meeting of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India during 1-8, November 2023. I am very thankful to the International Executive Committee of ICID, for accepting our proposal to organize the event here in India after 57 years, as the previous Congress was held in New Delhi in 1966.

Andhra Pradesh is a riverine state with 40 major, medium and minor rivers of which Godavari, Krishna, Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Pennar are major interstate rivers. About 70% of the population of the State depends on agriculture. The State has a heritage of cultivation and irrigation dating back to several centuries.

Thanks to ICID for awarding three World Heritage Irrigation Structures(WHIS) awards during 2020 to CumbumCheruvu, PorumamillaCheruvu and KC Canal located in Andhra Pradesh.Out of the 54 irrigation projects taken up under the flagship JALAYAGNAM program, 14 have been completed and the remaining are progressing well. The ongoing Polavaram Project on river Godavari, is a National Project, whichis the State’s life line aimed to complete it early.

Andhra Pradesh has embarked on a new journey of sustainable development with focus on inclusive growth.The Government’s “Navaratnalu” and other initiatives have been linked to United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. In Good Governance Index 2020-21 released by Government of India, the State stood first in Agriculture and Allied Sectors. It is ranked 1st in “Ease of Doing Business” by the World Bank and provides a conducive environment for business to operate and prosper. My Government has secured 1st Rank in the country successively for second time in 2021 evaluated by SKOCH for its best performance in Police and Safety, Agriculture, e-Governance, District Administration and Management and Rural Development.

The state is also ensuring that human and economic development takes place in harmony with environment. The advance estimates of state’s economy for 2021-22 shows an overall growth of 16.82 percent at current prices. At a time when education, healthcare, irrigation, agriculture and welfare are being given prominence in my government, the happening of the ICID Congress in Andhra Pradesh is a good coincidence. I extend my warm welcome to the participantsacross the Globe to visit Andhra Pradesh, the Sunrise State and Rice Bowl of India and the City of Destiny - Visakhapatnamand experience our cultural and rich traditions.

I wish the Congress a grand success adding much to the benefit of water sector all over the World.

Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh