iWater project presented at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia
The iWater project at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences was presented at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17). The conference took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.
Dr. Hassan Aboelnga, researcher at TH Köln’s Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems and Scientific Coordinator of iWater, presented the German-Egyptian cooperation project at the invitation of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) and the event organizers.
The presentation formed part of the official Water Thematic Day session “Transitioning to Circular Water Management for Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities in Drylands.” The event was jointly organized by UNESCO-IHP, Mongolia’s National Water Agency and the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) of UN-Habitat.
Representatives of United Nations agencies, governments and international organizations as well as experts in water and sustainable development took part in the event. Opening remarks were delivered by the Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat and senior representatives of the Mongolian government, including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Connecting higher education, research and practice
Aboelnga, who also chairs the Water Security Bureau of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), participated as a speaker in the high-level panel. He presented iWater – “Transforming Egypt’s Water Sector through Innovative Transdisciplinary Partnerships” – as an example of how higher education, research, policy and labour-market needs can be connected in addressing water- and climate-related challenges.
His presentation focused on the project’s work in capacity development, curriculum innovation and stakeholder engagement, as well as partnerships between universities, government institutions and the private sector. Aboelnga outlined how iWater seeks to translate academic knowledge into practice by strengthening cooperation between academia, government, industry and civil society. He also addressed the project’s contribution to modern water education, innovation and entrepreneurship and to preparing future professionals to address water security and climate challenges.
iWater brings together TH Köln, Ain Shams University and Mansoura University with support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Since its launch, the project has developed innovative educational programmes, strengthened cooperation between universities and industry, promoted stakeholder engagement and contributed to building institutional and human capacities in Egypt’s water sector.
Mr. Abou Amani (UNESCO-IHP), Mr. Emrah Engindeniz (GWOPA, UN-Habitat), Dr. Hassan Aboelnga (TH Köln), Ms. Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa (UNESCO-IHP), Mr. Nambaryn Enkhbayar (Former President of Mongolia and Leader of the Khar-Khorin City Council), Mr. Zeneemyadar Batbayar (Head of the Water Authority of Mongolia), and Mr. Byambaa Purevsuren (Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) and international officials.
(Image: Dr. Hassan Aboelnga)
International exchange on water and climate challenges
On the sidelines of UNCCD COP17, Aboelnga held bilateral meetings with representatives of international organizations and development partners, including Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The discussions focused on the role of higher education, capacity development and international partnerships in addressing water scarcity, land degradation and climate adaptation.
The invitation to present iWater at UNCCD COP17 reflects international interest in the project’s achievements and its approach to connecting education, research, policy and practice. At the same time, the presentation provided an opportunity to demonstrate how German-Egyptian academic cooperation can contribute to sustainable water management, climate resilience and sustainable development.
August 2026