Building bridges for sustainable water management - the UNESCO International Initiative on Water Quality

The International Initiative on Water Quality (IIWQ), established in 2012 by the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) of UNESCO, addresses global water quality issues and combats the degradation of freshwater resources which endangers human health and ecosystems. The IIWQ provides a collaborative network of scientists, practitioners and policymakers for joint research and knowledge exchange on water quality monitoring and management.

During the previous two IHP phases (VII, 2008–2013 and VIII, 2014–2021), the IIWQ has contributed to basin-level water quality assessments, for example in the Kharaa and Selenge River Basins in Mongolia and Russia. The IIWQ also investigated the effects of emerging pollutants on freshwater resources, and published the open-access book “Emerging pollutants: protecting water quality for the health of people and the environment”. Additionally, the IIWQ developed lake-level and global remote sensing water quality portals.

During the ongoing ninth phase of the IHP (2022-2029) “Science for a Water Secure World”, the IIWQ is now co-led by the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC) and the UNESCO Chairs on Sustainable Water Security and Water, Energy and Disaster Management for Sustainable Development (WENDI).

In order to support the implementation of the IHP-IX strategy, the IIWQ focuses on the following outputs:

• Enhanced mobilization of remote sensing technologies by water quality management authorities.
• Simplified planning and implementation of water quality monitoring programmes and water management plans.
• Increased awareness and predictability of the effects of emerging pollutants and hydrological extremes on water quality.
• Amplified visibility for the importance of water quality and its relation to the UN system and SDGs.

This conference contribution provides a more detailed introduction to the IIWQ, focusing on activities during the current IHP-IX phase and highlighting associated engagement opportunities.