Objectives of water security
- Ensure the availability of water in adequate quantity and acceptable quality to preserve a climate of peace and political stability in order to sustain and protect the water supply for all living beings and all social, economic and environmental activities.
- Ensure the ability to mitigate and adapt to acceptable and manageable levels of natural and anthropogenic phenomena that put the population, the economy and the environment at risk, which are associated with the quantity and quality of water.
- Ensure the ability to access, exploit, use and take advantage of water in a sustainable manner, as well as to manage and plan the interrelations and interventions between the different sectors associated with water resources collectively.
Objectives
- Provide the basis for the regional action of the scientific, political and business communities to achieve water security in diverse scales and contexts.
- Organize and promote outstanding interdisciplinary research on water resources and water services covering a range of scales from local to global, at national and regional levels.
Substantial challenges in water security issues:
- Absence or lack of reliable water supply and sanitation services
- Floods and unpredictable droughts due to hydrometeorological phenomena
- Degraded ecosystems that put life, health and wellbeing at risk
- Lack of financing to maintain and improve the supply and sanitation systems
- Risks due to natural or anthropogenic phenomena
- RRisks due to lack of availability
- Risks due to contamination
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission
Improve scientific cooperation in the Latin American and Caribbean region, as well as the understanding of water research, focusing on water security as a framework to cross the common divisions of water services and resources.
Vision
Provide the basis for the regional action of the scientific, political and business communities to achieve water security in diverse scales and contexts, through the organization and promotion of outstanding interdisciplinary research on water resources and water services, covering a wide range of scales, from local to global, as well as national to regional.
Values
- Security
- Cooperation
- Teamwork
- Responsibility
- Justice
- Neutrality
- Innovation
- Integrity
Functions
- Specialized training
Offer specialized training in water safety issues to national and international professionals. - Exchange of experiences
Promote the exchange of experiences and technical abilities with other Centres under the auspices of UNESCO that share areas of interest. - Participation with the Government
Develop studies and specialized consulting on water security for different levels of government, especially in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. - Collaboration with the academy and research centre
Promote cooperation, synergies and the Centre’s coordinated work with international academic and research institutions to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the IHP stage VIII. - Share Knowledge
Organize workshops, seminars and conferences for the regional and local sector, as well as activities in cooperation with institutions that have the same purpose.
Institute of Engineering - UNAM (IINGEN-UNAM)
The IINGEN-UNAM is the most recognized engineering research centre in Mexico, capable of developing internationally competitive research and generating knowledge to contribute to the solution of major national problems related to water resources, energy, transport, communications and housing.
Contact:
Address: Institute of Engineering, Circuito Escolar sn, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico City, Delegación Coyoacán, CP 04510.
Phone number: (55) 5623-3600
For more information, visit: http://www.iingen.unam.mx/
Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA)
It is the national benchmark for water research and technological development for the implementation of water policy by the Government of Mexico.
- Creation of knowledge
- Application and transfer of knowledge
- Training of human resources
- Scientific and technological services
- Guidelines on water policy
Contact:
Address: Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Progreso, Morelos. C.P. 62550.
Phone number: +52 (777) 329 3600
Citizen attention service: +52 (777) 329 3600
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information, visit: https://www.gob.mx/imta/
Chronology
2013Initiative based on the invitation of the IHP Secretariat (2013).
2014 June - II UNAM and IMTA join efforts and the initiative is presented at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council (Paris).
July - CONAGUA and SRE formally request the consideration of the proposal to UNESCO.
November - The proposal is presented and approved at the meeting of UNESCO International Hydrological Program (IHP) (Merida, Yucatan).
2016June - Evaluation and approval of the proposal by the Intergovernmental Council of the IHP.
2017 January - Preparation of the feasibility study for the Category 2 Centre.
October - Approval of the study by the Executive Board.
October 6th - 39th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the signing of an Agreement between the aforementioned Organization and the Government of Mexico to create a Water Security Centre as Category 2 Centre.
2018April 17th – UNESCO and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs sign an Agreement for the establishment of the Regional Centre on Water Security, under the auspices of UNESCO.
May 4th – The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Mexican Institute of Water Technology and the Institute of Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) sign the collaboration agreement to establish the Regional Centre on Water Security (CERSHI), under the auspices of UNESCO.
November 29th – Signature of the Incorporation agreement.
