History of i-WSSMHistory
Key milestones of UNESCO i-WSSM
Key Milestones
Renewal of i-WSSM website
i-WSSM Website Renewal
Opening of i-WSSM Nairobi Regional Office
Establishment of a Nairobi Regional Office within the Kenya Groundwater Research, Education and Training Center (RCGW) (Director: Mr. Benson Kimotho)
i-WSSM Laos Regional Office Opening
Opening of the first overseas i-WSSM's regional office within the National University of Laos (Director: Prof. Keodoungchai Keokhampui)
Establishment of a Statutory Corporation and Renewal of Agreement
Establishment of a statutory corporation pursuant to the Framework Act on Water Management (Jan. 2022.); approval of agreement renewal by the 214th UNESCO Executive Board (Apr. 2022); and signing and entry into force of the Agreement and MoU (2022. December)
Establishment of a statutory organization through the enactment of its enabling act.
Legal basis for establishment secured through the amendment of the Framework Act on Water Management (July. 2021)
i-WSSM Selected as Asia Water Council (AWC) Board Institution
At the 3rd General Assembly of the Asia Water Council (AWC) (Mar. 2019), i-WSSM was selected as a Board Institution, expanding its participation in Asia water governance.
Transfer of Competent Ministry Following Water Management Consolidation
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport → Ministry of Environment
Official Establishment of i-WSSM
Legal entity established (2017. May), held an opening ceremony and 1st Governing Board Meeting (2017. June)
Conclusion and Entry into Force of the Establishment Agreement, and Promulgation
Approved by the 200th UNESCO Executive Board (Oct. 2016), Agreement signed, entered into force (Dec. 2016, Treaty No. 2330)
UNESCO Approved the establishment of i-WSSM
Approval of i-WSSM's establishment at the 37th UNESCO General Conference (Nov. 2013)
Proposal for the Establishment of the International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Water Management
Government of the Republic of Korea Submitted a Proposal to UNESCO for the Establishment of i-WSSM (20th Session of the Intergovernmental Council of IHP)
Proposal for the Establishment of an International Cooperation System in the Water Sector
President of the Republic of Korea Proposed the Establishment of an International Cooperation System in the Water Sector in a Keynote Speech at the 64th Session of UN General Assembly
Future Plans
Operation of the UNESCO IHP Urban Water Management Programme (UWMP) Technical Secretariat and Enhancement of Expertise
Through hosting the UWMP Technical Secretariat, one of UNESCO IHP's Flagship Initiatives, we will lead global standards in urban water management, build a cooperation network with member states and relevant organizations, and emerge as a global hub that comprehensively supports urban water management policy, technology, and education.
Leading a Future-Oriented Water Security Education Paradigm
We enhance future-oriented educational content to address a rapidly changing environment, including climate crisis, artificial intelligence (AI), and carbon neutrality. By actively identifying cooperation projects with international financial institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), we will establish ourselves as a world-class specialized water security training institution.
Value Creation for International Development Cooperation Centered on Local Hubs
Leveraging the regional offices in Laos and Nairobi as strategic bases, we provide locally tailored water technology solutions. We also serve as a strategic platform supporting the international dissemination of Korean water management technologies and policy models.
Leading the global water security agenda for the Post-SDGs era
We proactively respond to the reshaping international order, including the Post-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (Post-SDGs). We identify next-generation water security agendas, such as the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem NEXUS (WEFE Nexus), and set directions for global water resource policies.