Scotland the Hydro Nation: annual report 2017

Introduction

I am very pleased to introduce this fourth annual report to the Scottish Parliament on progress against our innovative Hydro Nation agenda. Last year's report was the third and last required under statute, but I stated then that I believed these reports offer a very useful outline of the range of activity. It is therefore my intention that we continue to report in a similar way moving forward.

This year we have reached a key milestone in our Hydro Nation Scholar Programme as the first cohort of Scholars approach the completion of their PhD. studies. My congratulations go to them for their significant personal achievement in reaching this point. It is my firm hope and expectation that they will maintain strong links with the Hydro Nation agenda, and indeed Scotland, as they continue their journey to becoming the global water leaders of the future.

Looking forward, we are now moving to a more defined strategic programme of activity to deliver the Hydro Nation agenda. We will develop better alignment and consistency between the various strands of our international efforts including more actively-managed, networks across and between the academic and public sectors.

Supporting innovation in the sector remains a central plank of our approach so it is worth noting that the Hydro Nation Water Innovation Service ( HNWIS) has now moved into the third and final year under the current contract arrangements and work has commenced to consider the structures needed to build on HNWIS' success and deliver improved support to this key sector.

Finally, as ever, I'd like to acknowledge the Hydro Nation Forum's help in providing helpful support and oversight of the Hydro Nation agenda including guidance and advice on priorities. Their contribution to the development of our water sector is greatly appreciated, and I thank them for their input.

Roseanna Cunningham MSP
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform