About

Since 1964, the Netherlands UNESCO WMO Water Committee has contributed to the international water research and implementation programmes of UNESCO and WMO. The involvement has contributed to the promotion and positioning of Dutch water expertise, with a focus on hydrology but related to other related disciplines, such as meteorology, climate research and water governance.

The Committee does this on the basis of collected input from its members, which are leading Dutch scientists, policy-makers and practitioners. The contributions consist of a mix of content-based input or technical advice, and formal decision-making about Resolutions (UNESCO) or Decisions (WMO).

In order to provide the best advice, the committee is designed as a science-policy-practice platform, with expert representatives from these types of organizations. The committee has two co-chairs: one co-chair on behalf of policy organizations (Martien Beek, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), a one co-chair on behalf of scientific institutes (Michelle van Vliet, Utrecht University).

A committee coordinator (Martijn van Staveren, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education) implements NUWWC activities. The coordinator supports the co-chairs, represents the Committee in UNESCO and WMO related meetings, organizes events and in general supports the Committee members in their ambitions vis-à-vis UNESCO and WMO. In terms of roles, the coordinator acts as:

• Representative – represents the committee and/or the co-chairs in meetings organized by UNESCO or WMO, depending on the situation in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the PD of the Netherlands to UNESCO, and/or KNMI.
• Broker – identifies and matches opportunities for cooperation between Committee members, UNESCO and WMO water programmes, and other organizations of the UN(ESCO) Water Family.
• Communicator – filters, synthesizes and disseminates relevant information about committee members’ developments and activities on the one hand, and developments regarding the UNESCO and WMO water programmes on the other.
• Promotor – promotes Dutch water knowledge and expertise in the UNESCO and WMO networks, as well as during international water dialogues and events.
• Organiser – organizes twice a year the meeting of the Netherlands UNESCO WMO Water Committee and once a year the thematic event.