UNESCO i-WSSMHistory
The growth and development of UNESCO i-WSSM
Key Milestones
3rd Director Inaugurated
Yoo Sun-hee appointed as 3rd Director (Jul. 2025)
Kenya Regional Office
Regional office opened within Kenya RCGW, expanding into Africa (Nov. 2024)
Laos Regional Office
First overseas regional office opened within National University of Laos (Jul. 2023)
Legal Entity & Agreement Renewal
Legal corporate entity established (Mar.), 214th UNESCO Executive Board approved renewal (Apr.), Agreement and MOU signed (Dec.)
Legal Foundation Established
Water Management Basic Law amended, 2nd Director Shin Bong-woo inaugurated
AWC Board Member
Selected as Asia Water Council board member organization
1st Director Inaugurated
Kim Yang-su appointed as 1st Director, jurisdiction transferred to Ministry of Environment
UNESCO i-WSSM Established
Officially established May 2, Opening ceremony and 1st board meeting Jun. 8
Agreement Signed
200th UNESCO Executive Board approved (Oct.), Agreement signed, effective, published as Treaty No. 2330 (Dec.)
UNESCO Approval
37th UNESCO General Conference approved i-WSSM establishment
Proposal Submitted
Korean government submitted i-WSSM establishment proposal to UNESCO
International Initiative
Presidential proposal for international water organization at 64th UN General Assembly
Key Event Photos
Future Plans
Global Network Expansion
Strengthen the water security cooperation network by expanding regional offices to Africa and Latin America.
Deepened NEXUS Research
Deepen Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem nexus research and develop integrated climate change response solutions.
Digital Capacity Building Platform
Enhance the online education platform to provide training opportunities to more developing country experts.
Contributing to SDG 6
Expand international cooperation projects for achieving UN SDG 6 and strengthen water security policy support.
Shaping the Future of Water Together
UNESCO i-WSSM advances water security and sustainable water management with the global community.
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