IHP-IX 1.9. Using innovative technologies using earth observation, AI and IoT in hydrological planning, assessment, monitoring and distribution networks.

Development and sharing of new technologies using earth observation, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things by the scientific community and service providers are communicated to and/or used for capacity strengthening of water stakeholders to increase their use in hydrological planning and assessment as well as monitoring and distribution networks. 1. Facilitation of the development, and promotion, of tools and methodologies based on earth observations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) for water resources assessment and monitoring and promote use of software applications such as rainwater harvesting, observation and as well as flood and drought monitoring. 2. Pilot projects and programs, including publications addressing guidelines on the effective and safe use of new technologies to examine applicability to country conditions to adoption/upscaling and to produce recommendations in cooperation with WMO and other partners, as appropriate. 3. Joint development of scientific activity and capacity building program with AMCOW and NEPAD Water CoE on technologies and innovation to support African Water Vision 2025 and Agenda 2063. 4. Use of Earth observations, satellite remote sensing and UAV technologies, for freshwater quality monitoring by developing and applying the UNESCO Global Water Quality Portal to basins around the world in different regions, in cooperation with UNEP, the World Water Quality Alliance and other partners, as appropriate and including the development of new systems. 5. Development and sharing of new knowledge on Smart Water Management systems.
Leading Entity
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Collaborating Entity(ies)
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Contributing Action Number
CA4.16
Primary Entry Point
4: Accelerate progress and transformational change
Output(s)
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)
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.B: Support stakeholder participation
SDG target 11.5: Reduce number of deaths, people affected and economic losses caused by disasters, including water-related disasters
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

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.