This event came after the issue was raised in different UNESCO departments, the go-ahead of members and various committees and commissions was secured, the decision was adopted by the General Assembly of UNESCO and eventually an agreement was signed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and UNESCO.
Other than performance, a high-level board of governors which brings together ministers from regional countries and representatives of other organizations and countries which take an interest in climate and environmental issues makes the Tehran center stand out among 12 other regional centers of UNESCO.
Extensive measures to realize the stated objectives of the agreement and the positive role such measures have admittedly played in regional convergence – when it comes to water management in general and urban water management in particular – have prompted UNESCO officials to verbally express their willingness to renew the activities of the center for a second term.

Agreement to form the center
The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and UNESCO was signed in February 2002 in Iran. The director-general of UNESCO, representatives of different international organizations, ambassadors of regional countries, a number of Islamic Consultative Assembly deputies, senior managers of state institutions, university officials and private and NGO managers were on hand for the signing ceremony. (See attachment)
Habibollah Bitaraf, the then Energy Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran who also served as the chairman of the executive board of the Regional Center on Urban Water Management and UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura signed the deal in the presence of former Iranian Ambassador to UNESCO, Jalali, and Secretary of UNESCO’s International Hydrology Program, professor Selozi Neghi. That was how the center officially became operational.


Mandate and objectives of the center
The center is tasked with transferring scientific know-how and experience, promoting knowledge and building capacity when it comes to all aspects of water resources management in order to secure sustainable development. Measures in this field are meant to improve the lifestyle of residents.
The center also aims to put together technical and scientific information so far as regional water management is concerned. Such a move is designed to formulate policies which lead to comprehensive management of water resources on a local, national and regional scale. Promoting research, building local capacity and securing the involvement of international organizations and networks, particularly those affiliated to UNESCO’s International Hydrology Program (IHP) are among other objectives of the center. Undertaking activities to build capacity on various fronts, raising public awareness and promoting cooperation with international organizations are other objectives of the center.
Here is a look at the achievements of the center: promoting scientific research in the field of regional water management resources, establishing and boosting scientific and technological data exchange networks in the region, expanding research-related cooperation, taking measures to transfer knowledge, information and experience when it comes to international training courses, symposiums and workshops, raising public awareness so far as water management is concerned and rendering consultation services within and beyond the region.
A fourth gathering of the executive board of the Regional Center on Urban Water Management was held in Tehran on May 13, 2006. A fifth gathering is expected to be held in the Iranian capital in the fall of 2007.

Reporter : mehdi akbarsefat

َApproved by : Story Id 28

Create date : 1 Jun 2008 14:27

Id : 4185

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