IHP-IX 3.2. Establishment of harmonized experimental basins to collect data and advance hydrological research and water management.

Establishment of harmonized experimental basins by Member States, scientific and research communities, supported to collect scientific data and gain knowledge for hydrological research and holistic water management. 1. Design, expansion and harmonization of experimental basins including through regional and global networks and twinning new ones with the existing basins, with the possibility of establishing a global network of experimental basins, considering existing IHP initiatives and others, and support and assistance for the inclusion of targeted aquifer systems. 2. Establishment of an intercomparison programme to develop standardized datasets and a glossary used among the basins. 3. Inter-basin dialogue activities by bringing together existing experimental and non-experimental basins and data networks on collaborative learning opportunities and involving non-experimental basins’ data to share major outcomes in support of holistic water management. 4. Maintenance, consolidation and expansion of existing hydrological networks / network data (GRDC, FRIEND-Water databases, eco-hydrology demo sites).

Contributing Action Number

CA4.21

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

3: Align UN system support for integration

Output(s)

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

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 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water

SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation

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

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.