Research and training focused on inland waters

 The UNESCO International Center ICIREWARD (International Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Water Systems Dynamics) is the only UNESCO research and training center dedicated to inland water in France. Located in Montpellier, it ranks among the most important centers of its kind internationally.

ICIREWARD brings together and strengthens the collaboration of nearly 480 scientists and 180 doctoral students across 17 research laboratories.  The Center’s scientific community thus forms a rich multidisciplinary and international network to improve understanding of water-related issues.   

The research areas combine hydrological, chemical, and biological sciences with social sciences to provide comprehensive expertise in addressing water resource challenges:  availability, quality, sharing, and extreme events (floods, droughts).

The UNESCO ICIREWARD Center was established in 2020 through a partnership between the University of Montpellier,  the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).   

ICIREWARD is part of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and contributes to UNESCO’s efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Due to its cross-cutting nature, water is addressed in each of the 17 SDGs.

ICIREWARD aims to address the challenges faced by regions that are particularly vulnerable due to the rapid urbanization of our societies, growing demographic pressure, and the expected effects of climate change.