UNESCO i-WSSM💦

ENGLISH KOREAN

About i-WSSM

Objectives and Functions

Objectives

The International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under auspices of UNESCO (i-WSSM) is a UNESCO CategoryⅡ Centre based on an agreement between UNESCO and Government of the Republic of Korea (Treat No.2330) and a Korean law (Framework Act On Water Management Article 36.2).
The primary objectives of the Centre are:

To build an integrated and problem-solving research system to achieve sustainable water resources management, especially for developing countries;
To operate case-/field-oriented education & training programmes;
To develop a globally networked hub for sharing water resources information.

Through these objectives, the i-WSSM intends to secure the safe and equitable access and use of water for developing countries, as well as to contribute to world peace by improving quality of life worldwide.

Background of Establishment

UNESCO has not only been operating the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) since 1975 for water research and management, but also been contributing to and supporting international research and education centres worldwide, thereby contributing to human resource development, technical knowledge transfers, and establishment of global networks. (37 water-related UNESCO Category II centres worldwide).

In line with UNESCO’s efforts, the Republic of Korea, as one of the G20 countries, intends to actively contribute to achieving the goals of the international community. For instance, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were announced in 2015, are comprised of 17 goals and 169 detailed targets such as no poverty, climate action, and clean water and sanitation. In order to return the support that Korea received through UNESCO’s capacity building programmes, we established the first-ever water-related international centre within Korea, in 2017.

In order to effectively and systematically share Korea’s water management-related experiences and techniques with the international society, the centre aims to establish an integrated system of research, education, and knowledge.

Functions

The UNESCO i-WSSM is an organization combining research, education, and information, and supports water security strategies for the sustainable growth of developing countries through its interdisciplinary problem-solving research, field-oriented education, and global cooperation networks.

The Centre undertakes programmes in the following areas:

Assistance to developing countries in achieving sustainable development, including the implementation of water-related internationally-agreed agenda and national commitments such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals;
Development of multidisciplinary research and integrated approaches toward enhancing water security;
International cooperation programmes on water resources conducted by the Government;
Operation and management of water resources;
Hydropower energy and the operation and management of related infrastructure;
Assistance to developing countries in their development of water industries; and
Development of case studies and best practice guidelines to foster education, training and capacity building on sustainable water resources management.