Hydrology is the central theme in the committee’s collaboration with UNESCO and WMO. It serves as an overarching theme for various perspectives on water. From an academic perspective, this includes social, environmental, technological and cultural perspectives on water. In thematic terms, hydrology relates to flood and drought risk management to water governance, but also cross-cutting areas such as water-related capacity development and training. A broad range of programmes and initiatives is in place, which the Dutch water sector implements in collaboration with international partners.
Topics and expertise
Water management in deltas
Deltas are densely populated places where rivers and seas meet. An integrated approach is required towards managing land and water in such challenging environments. The Dutch water sector has gained decades of experiences with managing water in deltaic areas. It has learned from other large deltas around the globe, with sometimes even more dynamic water systems. Delta management, and the development of policy frameworks for sustainable delta management including nature-based solutions, is a focal theme in the Dutch international water cooperation.
Water data collection and sharing
Several Dutch committee members have a long track record in water-related data generation, collection, analysis and sharing. This includes modelling and analysing global hydrology and water resources, assessing water use in agriculture and crop production, conducting earth observation through remote sensing, and river flow forecasting. Advancements in meteorology improve our understanding of atmospheric processes, climate change and the effects on water resources. The topic of water data collection relates to the principles of Open Science. Committee members have contributed to the Global Runoff Dataset and European Water Archive.
Water cooperation and governance
Water cooperation is key in international policies of the Netherlands. Some of the NUWWC committee members focus on studying the relationship between water, climate, peace and security. Others are active in water diplomacy in transboundary river basins. This theme also encompasses the broader field of water governance. Good water governance stresses the importance of timely stakeholder consultation across multiple levels and sound decision-making processes in water resources management.
Sustainable groundwater management
Groundwater makes up most of the world’s freshwater reserves. It is essential to support wetlands and rivers. Although largely invisible, groundwater is essential to sustaining livelihoods in marginal areas, for example through drinking water supply and irrigation. In the Netherlands, where fresh groundwater aquifers prevent saline groundwater flows and seawater intrusion, various institutes have specialized in the topic of groundwater assessments and sustainable use of the resources. One example is the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, IGRAC, a WMO Centre.
Water Education and Capacity Development
Sustainable water resources management depends on the skills of professionals working in the water sector, as well as on the way national or regional water institutions operate. It is essential that the ‘water workforce’ is well-equipped in terms of competences and skills. Nearly all members of the NUWWC are active in water education and capacity development. IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre. In addition, over ten Dutch museums are member of UNESCO’s Global Water Museum Network which aims to reach non-professionals and the general public with water knowledge.
