IAH Congress "Groundwater now and for the future" 15-19 September 2025 Melbourne, Australia particular focus on Indigenous groundwater knowledge

The IAH 2025 Congress aims to contribute to groundwater resources sustainable management and governance and acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea in which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. Groundwater is a vital resource that profoundly impacts our environment, economies, and communities. As we face increasing pressures from population growth and climate change, this Congress provides an invaluable platform to exchange insights and expertise, nurture our emerging professionals and researchers, and tackle the challenges ahead.
Leading Entity
International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)
Collaborating Entity(ies)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Contributing Action Number
CA1.35
Primary Entry Point
1: Lead and inspire collective action
Additional Entry Point(s)
1: Lead and inspire collective action
Output(s)
Output 2.1: Expertise and resources are fully leveraged by the UN system to support countries, with emphasis on the water and sanitation needs of developing countries
Output 3.3: Mainstreaming of water and sanitation-related issues into Member States-led intergovernmental processes is supported by the UN system
Output 4.4: Enabling environments for water and sanitation innovation are supported by the UN system, including policies, partnerships, and transfer of technology to remove barriers, with emphasis on technology transfer needs of developing countries
Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries
Output 5.2: Progress on water-related goals and targets are reviewed through joint learning and exchange among all actors with support from the UN system
SDG 6 Target(s)
SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water
SDG target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater and safe reuse
SDG target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies
SDG target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management (IWRM)
SDG target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems
SDG target 6.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building
Type of Engagement
Data collection and analysis
Capacity development and technical assistance
Convening of stakeholders
Policy advice and thought leadership
Geographical Scope
Global level
Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level
Start Date
End Date
More Information
https://iah2025congress.com/

Leading Entity

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.