International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO

Water Security Research and Capacity Buildingunesco-iwssm.org

UNESCO Category 2 Centre established in 2012 by the Republic of Korea and UNESCO to advance global water security through WEFE Nexus research, capacity building, and international cooperation, serving water professionals and developing-country governments across 47+ countries.

Company typePrivate
Founded2012
HeadquartersHwaseong-si, South Korea
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO does

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (i-WSSM) is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre established in 2012 pursuant to an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO, headquartered at the K-water Songsan Global Education Research Center in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. The center conducts research, capacity building, and international cooperation focused on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus approach to integrated water resource management, serving water sector professionals, government officials, and young professionals from developing countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Its core programmatic offerings include the NEXUS Platform for nexus data and research, the WAGLE Young Professionals (WAGLE YP) network, and a layered education portfolio spanning short-term intensive training (1-4 weeks), long-term joint degree programs (3-12 months) with KAIST and Chungnam National University, and self-paced online courses. Supporting offerings include the UNESCO-IHP Urban Water Management Programme (UWMP), GWSI/WWDR publications, Water and Gender projects, community discussion boards, and a member portal. Regional offices in Laos (established July 2023, hosted at the National University of Laos) and Nairobi (established November 2024, hosted at the Regional Centre for Groundwater Resources) localize capacity building in Southeast Asia and East Africa.

i-WSSM operates as a non-profit intergovernmental hub rather than a commercial entity. Revenue mechanics center on UNESCO and Government of Korea institutional funding, KOICA-funded participant sponsorship (covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and international airfare for developing-country participants), and grants from partners such as the World Bank, ADB, OECD, UNDP, and FAO. Customer segments are segmented horizontally across developing-country governments, water sector professionals, young water professionals, and Korean water industry employees, with go-to-market executed through UNESCO network channels, partner referrals, regional offices, and international events rather than conventional digital marketing.

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO firmographics

Firmographics

Name: International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO
Legal name: International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management
Website: https://unesco-iwssm.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2012
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: UNESCO Category 2 Centre established in 2012 by the Republic of Korea and UNESCO to advance global water security through WEFE Nexus research, capacity building, and international cooperation, serving water professionals and developing-country governments across 47+ countries.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO industry classification

Industry

Product category: Water Security Research and Capacity Building
NAICS: Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Foreign Governments (8888)
akta.pro primary industry: Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI)
akta.pro secondary industries: Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Open Courseware & Course Modules (OCW) (EDAGAJAB)

Keywords

Water security research
Capacity building programs
Water resource management
WEFE nexus analysis
Water professional training

Where International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Hwaseong-si
HQ country: South Korea
HQ region: Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

UNESCO/Government Funding: i-WSSM is established through an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO, operating as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre. The center receives institutional funding and implements projects aligned with UNESCO's strategies and international development cooperation frameworks.
Capacity Building Programs: Most programs for developing country participants are fully funded, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and international airfare through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and other partner organizations. Long-term joint degree programs with KAIST and Chungnam National University offer full scholarships.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Multi-year contract	Short-term Intensive Training (1-4 weeks)
Other	Multi-year contract	Long-term Joint Degree Programs (3-12 months)
Freemium	Monthly	Online Self-Paced Learning

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO product offering

Product offering

Core offering

UNESCO i-WSSM is a Category 2 Centre that delivers water security research, capacity building education, and international cooperation programs built on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus approach. Its portfolio includes short-term intensive training (1-4 weeks), long-term joint degree programs with KAIST and Chungnam National University (3-12 months), free online self-paced courses, the WAGLE YP young professionals network across 47 countries, and the NEXUS research platform, with regional offices in Laos and Kenya supporting localized delivery.

Product overview

UNESCO i-WSSM is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on global water security research and capacity building. The core offerings include the NEXUS Platform for WEFE nexus data and research, WAGLE YP youth network, and comprehensive Education Programs (short-term intensives, long-term degree programs, and online courses). Supporting offerings include Publications (GWSI, WWDR, activity reports), the Urban Water Management Programme, Water and Gender projects, a Member Portal, Community Boards, and a Regional Offices Network spanning Laos and Nairobi. The organization functions as a global research and education hub rather than a commercial product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

WAGLE YP: Water Action for Global Leadership and Empowerment Young Professionals program - UNESCO i-WSSM's flagship youth program for developing next-generation water experts.
NEXUS Platform
Urban Water Management Programme (UWMP)

Quantifiable outcome

92% participant satisfaction rate from post-training surveys
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO

Customer profile

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

RCGW Kenya (Regional Centre for Groundwater Resources)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Host institution for the Nairobi Regional Office, focusing on groundwater research and water resource management capacity building in East Africa.
National University of LaoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023Host institution for the Laos Regional Office, serving as the Southeast Asia Water Security Hub for Mekong River basin IWRM capacity building.
UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO i-WSSM is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre established pursuant to an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and UNESCO. The center implements projects in line with UNESCO-IHP strategies and operates under UNESCO's global water family network.
K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK-water provides Korean water management expertise and facilities for field training programs. i-WSSM is hosted at the K-water Songsan Global Education Research Center.
UN-WatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism for water, collaborating on global water security initiatives and knowledge sharing.
World BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution providing funding and technical support for water security projects and capacity building programs in developing countries.
OECDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization for Economic Co-operation and Development, collaborating on water policy research and development cooperation frameworks.
ADB (Asian Development Bank)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsian Development Bank collaborating on water security investments and capacity building in the Asia-Pacific region.
IHP (International Hydrological Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO's International Hydrological Programme providing scientific framework and linkage for i-WSSM's urban water management and NEXUS research programs.
UNDPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Development Programme collaborating on sustainable development and capacity building initiatives.
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint degree programs (Master's/PhD) in water security and related fields with full scholarships available for qualifying participants.
World Water CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational multi-stakeholder platform for water, collaborating on global water governance and policy discussions.
GWP (Global Water Partnership)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Water Partnership supporting integrated water resource management approaches and knowledge sharing in the water sector.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood and Agriculture Organization collaborating on water-food nexus and agricultural water management research.
Asia Water CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water platform for Asia, facilitating collaboration on water security and sustainable management in the Asia-Pacific region.
IHE DelftmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO-IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, collaborating on water education and professional training programs.
SIWI (Stockholm International Water Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStockholm International Water Institute collaborating on water policy research and World Water Week activities.
24 MOU SignatoriesmajorOthersFormal cooperation agreements with 24 partner organizations including international organizations, academic institutions, and government bodies for joint research, personnel exchange, and data sharing.
Kenya Ministry of WatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing water resource policy and management cooperation for Africa water security programs.
UN-Habitat Nairobi HQmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Human Settlements Programme providing urban water infrastructure improvement cooperation.
University of NairobimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic exchange and joint research in water resources through collaboration with the Nairobi Regional Office.
African Development Bank (AfDB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater infrastructure project cooperation and funding support for African water security initiatives.
Laos Ministry of Natural Resources and EnvironmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing water resource policy development and management cooperation.
Mekong River Commission (MRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research and monitoring of the Mekong River basin for regional water management cooperation.
JICA Laos OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan International Cooperation Agency providing technical cooperation and joint capacity building programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Emerging players

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): International research institute working on integrated resource systems including water-energy-food. Comparable in transdisciplinary systems research approach and government-funded international mandate.

Broad incumbents

World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization with major programs on water, climate, and food systems (including Aqueduct and WRI Ross Center). Comparable in water-and-climate research, donor funding base, and developing-country programs.
UN-Water: UN inter-agency coordination mechanism on water and sanitation, including SDG 6 monitoring. Comparable as the coordinating umbrella for many of the same partnerships i-WSSM participates in.
K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation): Korean state-owned water utility that hosts i-WSSM and provides facility/training access. Comparable as the domestic water-sector institution underpinning i-WSSM's field training and Korean policy footprint.

Direct peers

Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI): Independent water policy institute hosting World Water Week and convening MDB, government, and research stakeholders. Comparable to i-WSSM in water policy research, convening power, and World Bank/OECD engagement.
Global Water Partnership (GWP): International network promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) across regions. Directly comparable to i-WSSM in IWRM capacity-building focus, regional partnership structure, and donor-funded operating model.
World Water Council: Multi-stakeholder platform producing the World Water Forum and engaging global water governance. Comparable to i-WSSM in convening, policy advocacy, and global partnership networks.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI): CGIAR research institute conducting water management research for developing countries. Comparable to i-WSSM in water research output, developing-country focus, and CGIAR/donor funding.
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education: UNESCO-affiliated water education institute offering MSc/PhD and short-course programs. Directly comparable to i-WSSM in mission (water-sector capacity building), delivery model (international cohorts, field training), and UNESCO/government funding structure.

Regional players

Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI): ADB's policy research and capacity-building arm focused on Asia-Pacific. Comparable in regional capacity building, government-facing policy research, and ADB co-funding of water-related programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries2 records

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO

What does International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO do?

Is International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO a public or private company?

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO founded?

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO based?

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO is headquartered in Hwaseong-si, South Korea, in the Asia region.

How does International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO make money?

Two revenue lines are on record. UNESCO/Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are capacity Building Programs.

Who are International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO's main competitors?

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute (WRI), UN-Water and K-water (Korea Water Resources Corporation). Direct peers are Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Global Water Partnership (GWP), World Water Council, International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) is listed as a regional player.

Does International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO have an API?

No public API is recorded for International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO.

What industry is International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO in?

International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management under the auspices of UNESCO's product category is Water Security Research and Capacity Building. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADABAI, Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs, with a secondary code of EDAIAAAE, Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8200.