Cofunded by the European Union

Water4All is delighted to share the information about the MoU signed with Unesco during the 2024 Governing Board

The Governing Board takes place each year and all the partners are invited to join for exchanges. It is a moment that combines formal and informal gatherings. Different sessions are planned to share and discuss the progress made so far. General issues on how the Water4All programme operates are also on the agenda. It is moreover a moment to develop ideas and good practices for the next phase of the Partnership.

This year's meeting gathered around 100 representatives of Water4All’s partner organisations. It was opened with the words of Bjorn Kaare JENSEN, Chair.

Unesco & Water4All, a major achievement

The highlight of the 2024 Governing board was the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the IHP Unesco, (Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme from Unesco) and Water4All Partnership which was signed during this event. This agreement is a formal document confirming the willingness of both entities to move forward. It defines their common objectives and the way they will work together.

Dominique DUNON-BLUTEAU on behalf of Claire GIRY, CEO, ANR, (The French National Research Agency) signed it officially with  Ms Lidia BRITO, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences - Unesco

  • Ms Lidia BRITO declared that science and research are “valuable assets” that can bring “impactful solutions“  for water challenges and “practices that can be duplicated across the world”.
  • Dominique DUNON-BLUTEAU highlighted that “for the ANR, strengthening the interactions between science, research and society is a major challenge. Water4All and UNESCO-IHP share common goals to: Ensure water security; provide sound knowledge, tools and evidence on water for policy and decision making; improve the consideration of water impacts in all relevant policies; increase citizen awareness and engagement for inclusive water governance. All these objectives will contribute to building joint contributions to the achievement of the SDGs and other water-related international agendas.”
  • Ms Rahmah ELFITHRI, chief of the section for the Capacity Development and Water Family Coordination (CDW) at Unesco-IHP also presented the ninth phase of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme: IHP-IX. It covers 2022-2029 and identifies key water priority areas to support The Members States to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She also pointed out the coming anniversaries of the IHP, the 50th anniversary in January 2025 and the 60th one of the Unesco water sciences.

Learn more about the UNESCO-IHP 

European Union representatives 

Bertrand VALLET, Policy Officer and R.J.HOEVE, Head of Sector  Mission and Partnership of the DG-RTD (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation) also attended this 2-day gathering.

They could participate in the exchanges and give more details on the EU policy on research, science and innovation, to tackle our biggest societal challenges.

 

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The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.