IHP-IX 1.1. Strengthening Global Cooperation to Advance Hydrology Research

International scientific cooperation strengthened and fostered to address unsolved problems in hydrology, improving scientific understanding of hydrological cycles across river basins and aquifers. 1. Coordination of UNESCO scientific efforts on Unsolved Problems in Hydrology, including hydrogeology/geo-hydrology, in partnership with IAHS, IAH and other water related scientific associations, including organization of the capitalisation of knowledge, results and experience available in the UNESCO Water Family, incl. the Flagships, into published syntheses. 2. Establishment and maintenance of an exchange scheme among UNESCO water family and partners for research on Unsolved Problems and New, Emerging Topics in Hydrology. 3. Exploration of the emerging research challenges and periodic review of unresolved problems in hydrology, in cooperation with Hydrological Divisions of International Geophysical Organisations (e.g. AGU, EGU) in partnership with IAHS and IAH. 4. Establishment and implementation of UNESCO Biennial Award for Ph.D. studies and Biennial Conference series on Unsolved Problems and New, Emerging Topics in Hydrology, in partnership with IAHS, IAH, IAHR and other relevant organizations, such as WMO.

Collaborating Entity(ies)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR)

International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)

International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)

Contributing Action Number

CA4.9

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

2: Engage better for countries

Output(s)

Output 1.2: Action is inspired by compelling and unified UN system communications and messaging on water

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 2.2: Diverse stakeholders and partnerships are mobilized by the UN system to support countries’ progress on water and sanitation

Output 3.3: Mainstreaming of water and sanitation-related issues into Member States-led intergovernmental processes is supported by the UN system

Output 4.2: High-quality, disaggregated water and sanitation data and information are available and shared transparently through strengthened national and sub-national monitoring systems and regional and global platforms with support from the UN system

Output 4.3: Institutional and human resources capacity development support that responds to national needs and priorities is provided by the UN system, contributing to a skilled water and sanitation workforce

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

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

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

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

Type of Engagement

Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)

Data collection and analysis

Capacity development and technical assistance

Convening of stakeholders

Geographical Scope

Global level

Regional, transboundary and sub-regional (multi-country) level

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More Information

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384615

Leading Entity

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

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.