The World Hydropower Congress (WHC) is a biennial, multi-stakeholder forum, bringing together leaders and specialists with hydropower-related responsibilities from government, industry, finance, UN agencies, academia and civil society. The WHC is open to participants from all countries and regions where hydropower is on the agenda (hydropower plays a role in more than 150 countries).

The 2017 WHC will take place from 9 to 11 May at the UN Conference Center in Addis Ababa. It is supported by more than thirty international organizations, sector leaders and governments, who all play a role in defining the future of hydropower. A list of partner and sponsor organisations is provided below (1.6). Some 600 high-level participants from 80 countries are expected to attend.

The programme of the congress includes the Business Leaders Forum and the Governmental and Presidential Entity Group meeting. Both groups converge for a Consultative Council Dinner on the evening of Monday 8^th May.