Meeting Between the President and Vice President of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences with the Director General

Meeting Between the President and Vice President of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences with the Director General of Watershed Management and Soil Protection at the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization and the Director of the International Center for Integrated Watershed Management under UNESCO Supervision

In a meeting between the President and Vice President of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences at Kashan University, and Dr. Nouri, Director General of Watershed Management and Soil Protection at the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, as well as the Director of the International Center for Integrated Watershed Management under the UNESCO supervision, the topic of joint cooperation between Kashan University and this management was discussed.

During this session, it was proposed to establish a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Kashan University and the International Center for Integrated Watershed Management under UNESCO’s supervision. This MoU would focus on the publication of an English-language journal, attracting international students from 27 countries of the Board of Governors, organizing national and international workshops, and promoting entrepreneurship in the field of natural resources.

Dr. Nouri highlighted the topic of integrated watershed management and the plan to prepare a strategic document for the comprehensive management of all watersheds across the country with the participation of universities. He suggested that Kashan University also participate in the preparation of these plans.

The establishment of the International Center for Integrated Management of Biological Resources in Watersheds in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Iran was proposed in a Cabinet meeting in July 2017 and was approved conditionally, pending approval of the text by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ultimately, the agreement was signed by the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary-General of UNESCO’s Commission in Iran.

According to the public relations department of the National Commission of UNESCO, the agreement to establish the International Center for Integrated Management of Biological Resources in Watersheds in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Iran as a Category II Center under UNESCO aims to build capacity, exchange information, and enhance knowledge and technology in this field. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary-General of the UNESCO Commission in Iran.

According to Article 7 of the agreement between Iran and UNESCO, the Governing Board of this center, which is responsible for approving mid-term and long-term plans and preparing periodic reports, was formed. The Governing Board approves the roadmap for biennial to six-year assessments of the center. The Iranian government’s representatives, including the Minister of Agriculture or the Head of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, representatives from UNESCO member countries or United Nations-affiliated countries, the Director-General of UNESCO, and representatives from international organizations, academic and research centers form the Governing Board of the International Center for Integrated Watershed Management and Biological Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions.