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UNESCO's water security strategy and the role of i-WSSM
"The right water, in the right amount, in the right place — always" Moving beyond technical management, water security is a multidimensional concept that integrates human life, social stability, economic development, and environmental factors. Securing water security ensures that the water necessary for our lives and economic growth is accessible—anytime, sufficiently, cleanly, and at an affordable cost. It also involves establishing a safe environment by building resilience against water-related disasters, such as floods and droughts. Furthermore, it encompasses inclusive governance, ensuring that everyone can participate in the water management decision-making process without discrimination.
The capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability
— UN-Water
Ensuring all people have access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities.
Securing stable water supply for agriculture, industry, energy, and other economic activities.
Maintaining and conserving healthy aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
Strengthening protection and resilience against water-related disasters such as floods and droughts.
As the only UN intergovernmental initiative dedicated to water, IHP works on securing clean drinking water, preventing floods, preserving glaciers, improving water quality, and more, by bringing together top scientists and policymakers to turn knowledge into action to better understand, protect, and manage this vital resource.
The Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) is an intergovernmental cooperative programme that contributes to water-related research, management, education, and capacity building under the framework of the United Nations. IHP, launched in 1975 under the leadership of UNESCO, is a hydrological research programme built upon international cooperation. Since its establishment, to address the continuous increase in water demand driven by population growth and industrialization, it has adopted an integrated interdisciplinary approach. This approach considers the social dimensions of water, supports international cooperation in hydrology, promotes research on hydrology and water resources, and provides education and training to develop experts and technicians. Currently, IHP is in its 9th phase (IHP-IX, 2022-2029), and is being implemented under the agenda 'Science for a Water Secure World in a Changing Environment'.
Centres including i-WSSM, university Chairs, and more than 170 National Committees form the “Water Family” and work collaboratively.
A global network programme promoting inter-basin comparative research and data exchange on water resource systems.
A programme achieving sustainable water management through collaboration between hydrologists, environmental experts, and policy makers.
An international cooperation programme for joint management and conservation of transboundary aquifers.
A programme that monitors the state of global freshwater resources and publishes the UN World Water Development Report.
Partner Countries
Trained Experts
Research Projects
Cat.2 Designation
Treaty No. 2330
Agreement renewed
"Successful contribution with the highest level of expertise"