IHP-IX 1.2. Ecohydrology Research & Innovation at UNESCO Sites for IWRM Integration

Ecohydrology research and innovation at UNESCO-designated sites conducted and shared by the scientific community and UNESCO Water Family, communicated to assess the impact of ecohydrological and nature-based solutions on water cycles and include such solutions in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and services at all scales and in Sites’ management. 1. Development and operationalization of a world-leading network/hub for transdisciplinary ecohydrological research, education and dialogue on ecohydrology and nature-based solutions for enhancement of WBRS+CE catchment sustainability potential (water, biodiversity, resilience to anthropogenic climate change, ecosystem services and culture and education) and promotion of Ecohydrology Web Platform (http://ecohydrology-ihp.org/demosites/). 2. Expansion of UNESCO ecohydrology sites to demonstrate ecohydrology and nature-based solutions as the sustainable way of water resources management, including in urban areas, in partnership with IAHS, IAHR and ISEH. 3. Co-design, standardization and consolidation of protocols of demo sites selection and monitoring to enable knowledge assimilation in partnership with IAHS and other data-related organizations (e.g. ERB), dissemination of progress on protocol standardization/consolidation, site designation, meta-analysis of demo sites (such as through (co)convening sessions, e.g. in IAHS, IUGG, IWRM conferences). 4. Application of the ecohydrology approach within UNESCO water-related designated sites including biosphere reserves, geoparks and natural heritage sites for sustainability and resilience, publishing, sharing and promotion of the research and innovation at UNESCO-designated sites through articles, case studies and a compendium of case studies. 5. Investigation on how the catchment/river-basin based ecohydrology concept/nature-based solutions can be extrapolated to large-scale applications (continental/global scale).

Collaborating Entity(ies)

World Bank Group (WBG)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

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

International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Contributing Action Number

CA4.10

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

2: Engage better for countries

3: Align UN system support for integration

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 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence

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

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

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

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

Data collection and analysis

Implementation (e.g. direct support and service delivery, pilot or larger scale)

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

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More information

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

http://ecohydrology-ihp.org/demosites/

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.