TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 16-210

________________________________________________________________________

ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

Water Resources

Agreement Between the

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

and the UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, 

SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION 

(UNESCO)

Signed at Alexandria, Virginia

October 29, 2009
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent

evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof

or authentication thereof.”
 UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, 

SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL 

ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)

 Environment and Conservation: 

 Water Resources

 Agreement signed at Alexandria, Virginia

 October 29, 2009;

 Entered into force February 10, 2016.

 

 
AGREEMENT BETWEEN 

THEGOVERNMENTOFTHEUNnEDSTATESOFAMEMCA 

AND 

THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL 

ORGANIZATION (UNESCO) 

CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES 

MANAGEMENT 

AT THE 

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS INSTITUTE FOR WATER RESOURCES, 

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, USA, 

AS A CATEGORY 2 CENTRE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO 

Whereas at the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Council of the International 

Hydrological Programme (lliP) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 

Organization (UNESCO), which took place lune 9-13, 2008, the Member States adopted 

Resolution XVIII-3, recognizing the benefits f~r UNESCO and in particular the strengthening 

of water resources capacity development and education; endorsed the establishment of the 

International Centre for Integrated Water Resources Management (referred to as "ICIWaRM" 

or "the Centre") as a Category 2 Centre .under the auspices of UNESCO at the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers' Institute for Water Resources; and requested the assistance of the lliP 

Secretariat in preparing documentation necessary to be submitted to the governing bodies of 

UNESCO for their consideration regarding the proposed Centre; 

Whereas the Government of the United States of America ("the U.S.") fully supports the 

designation of the proposed ICIWaRM as a Category 2 Centre; 

Noting, also with appreciation, that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Institute for 

Water Resources, as the U.S. host institution, has already taken effective steps to provide the 

necessary infrastructure, facilities and intergovernmental relationships for the ICIW aRM; 

Recognizing the critical importance of integrated water resources management (IWRM) to 

intproving the practice of water management and the delivery of .. watet-related services 

around the globe in an efficient, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable manner; 

Having regard for 35 C/Resolution 28, whereby the UNESCO General Conference seeks to 

favour international cooperation in respect of the establishment of ICIWaRM under the 

auspices of UNESCO; 

Considering that the Director-General of UNESCO has ·been authorized by the General 

Conference to conclude on behalf of UNESCO an agreement with the U.S. in conformity with 

the draft which was submitted to the General Conference; and 

Desirous of defining the terms and conditions of their relationship with respect to the Centre; 

UNESCO and the U.S. (hereinafter referred to as the .. Parties") have agreed as follows: 

ARTICLE 1 -Interpretation 

1, In this Agreement, .. UNESCO" refers to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and 

Cultural Organization. 

2. "U.S." means the ''Government of the United St~tes of America." 

•···"mltu·••''~'W..,..ittiAWIBlm[:~~i·rr~r:Jifa·e'!8~~ 
;;uw .. J.i I ::::z::;;::::;;.J. Ql4i&4il¥4¥AQJ;.: iiii4diiiJI.IUIQiu;tdi#MiiiltUtWltW @IMQQP t@i!A:.4.Z:i £1 114 

3. "USACE" means the "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers." 

4. "IWR" means the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' "Institute for Water Resources." 

5. "ICIWaRM" or "the Centre" means the "International Centre for Integrated Water 

Resources Management." 

6. "lliP" or "UNESCO-lliP" means UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme. 

ARTICLE 2- Establishment 

In accordance with its laws, regulations, and policies, the U.S. shall take appropriate measures 

which may be required for establishing and operating the Centre under the auspices of 

UNESCO, as provided for under this Agreement. 

ARTICLE 3- Relationships 

1. ICIWaRM shall be established withip tlie USACE IWR and may engage in activities as 

appropriate in accordance with U.S. hiws, regulations, and policies in support of Member 

States and Associate Members of UNESCO that, by their common interest in the objectives of 

the Centre, may desire to cooperate with the Centre. 

2. ICIW aRM may receive notifications from any UNESCO Member State that wishes to 

cooperate in the Centre's activities. The Centre shall inform interested Member States and 

UNESCO of the receipt of such notifications. 

3. The Centre shall consult with and will take into account the advice of the U.S. National 

Commission for UNESCO and the U.S. National Committee for the International 

Hydrological Programme (hereinafter referred to as Commission/Committee). 

ARTICLE 4- Purpose of the Agreement 

The purpose of this Agreement is to define the terms and conditions governing the 

establishment and operation of the Centre, as well as collaboration between the Parties with 

regard to the Centre and also the rights and obligations stemming therefrom for the Parties to 

this Agreement. 

ARTICLE 5- Capacity 

1. The Parties acknowledge that the Centre shall be an entity within IWR and that, in the 

territory of the U.S., the Centre's legal status and capacities shall be governed by U.S. laws, 

regulations, and policies. The U.S. confirms that ICIWaRM, independently or through its 

host government, is expected to enjoy in the territory of the U.S. the legal status and capacity 

necessary for the exercise of its functions in accordance with U.S. laws, regulations, and 

policies and, in particular, the capacities to contract, to acquire and dispose of movable and 

immovable property, to obtain payments for services from foreign governments or 

international organizations, and to acquire means necessary for its functioning, in accordance 

with U.S. laws, regulations, and policies. 

ARTICLE 6 - Objectives and Functions 

1 The overall mission of ICIWaRM is the advancement of the science and practice of 

integrated water resources management (IWRM) to address water security and other waterrelated challenges by regional and global action, through new knowledge, innovative 
technologies, collaborative interdisciplinary scientific research, networking, training and 

capacity development. The overall scope of activities to be undertaken by the Centre 

includes: 

a) Focusing on practical science, applied research and technology development 

embodied in the IHP programme that can be readily transferred to improve IWRM 

through USACE civil works activities for developing countries; 

b) Partnering with, and providing or exchanging technical support for, existing 

UNESCO IHP programmes which serve to implement IHP objectives related to 

attaining IWRM objectives; and 

c) Collaborating on joint, applied research, capacity-building and training programmes 

through other UNESCO IHP centres (both category 1 and 2 centres) and established 

programmes, initially with emphasis on the Western Hemisphere (Central America, 

South America and the Caribbean) and Africa. 

2. The objectives of the ICIWaRM are focused on its principal purpose- to develop, promote 

and infuse sound practices for integrated .water resources management around the globe. 

These objectives include: 

a) To contribute to the development and advocacy of IWRM principles and best 

management practices, focusing .on issues of governance (institutional frameworks), 

engineering, planning, and evaluation; 

b) To foster research, technological development, and technology transfer, as 

appropriate, of models and methods that enhance IWRM, and to effectively 

disseminate "toolkits"; and 

c) To undertake capacity-building effort in accordance with Commission/Committee 

guidance and IHP programs, focusing on training for implementing IWRM at both 

watershed and national levels, particularly in Latin America and Africa, and to 

enhance collaboration among UNESCO centres towards joint problem-solving. 

ARTICLE 7- Cooperation 

l. The Centre will work closely with officials from UNESCO, the Commission/Committee, 

and the IHP with a view to providing transparency as to how the Centre is working to advance 

the science and practice of IWRM principles, advancing IHP programs, and engaging in 

activities in support of other United Nations Member States. Specifically, the Centre will 

discuss with UNESCO: 

a) The long-term and medium-term strategy for the programs of the Centre; and 

b) Program scope, focus and effectiveness of the Centre in aligning with and addressing 

the goals and objectives ofUNESCO-IHP. 

ARTICLE 8- Advisory Board 

l. An Advisory Board for the Centre shall be established. The Advisory Board shall be 

subject to U.S. laws, regulations, and policies, and may include the following members: 

a) The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), or his/her appointed 

representative, who shall be the ex-officio Chairperson of the Advisory Board; 

b) Up to four other members chosen by the U.S; and 

c) Up to seven members chosen by UNESCO-including a representative of the 

Director-General of UNESCO and the Director, UNESCO Institute for Water 

Education (IHE)-in coordination with the various UNESCO IHP National 

Committees within each respective region, appointed on a rotational basis, to terms of 

up to four years. 
In addition, if so recommended by the Advisory Board and subject to the discretion of the 

Chairperson, as well as the limits of U.S. law, regulations, and policy, the Advisory Board 

may include any representatives in the following categories who wish to participate: 

d) A representative of any other intergovernmental, governmental, or non-governmental 

organization contributing to the operation of; the operating budget for; or an activity 

of the Centre, for a term of up to four years; 

e) A representative from any other relevant lliP water centre under the auspices of 

UNESCO, for a term of up to four years; 

f) A representative of a Member State wishing to participate in the Centre's activities, 

for a term of up to four years. 

2. The functions of the Advisory Board shall be: 

a) To advise the United States government on the long-term and medium-term strategies 

for the programs of the Centre; 

b) To examine the biennial reports submitted by the Director of the Centre; and 

c) To advise on the program scope, focus and effectiveness of the Centre in aligning 

with and addressing the goals and objectives of UNESCO-niP. 

3. The Advisory Board shall meet at least once every two years, or more frequently when 

necessary as determined by the Chairperson. 

4. The Director of the Centre, in consultation with the Director of the IWR and in accordance 

with U.S. laws, regulations, and policies, is responsible for making decisions on all aspects of 

the Centre's strategies, program scope and focus, work plan, and budget. Although the advice 

of the Advisory Board shall not be binding on the United States, the Director of the Centre 

shall make such decisions with due consideration of the advice from the Advisory Board. 

5. The Advisory Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure, subject to U.S. laws and 

regulations. For its first meeting the procedure shall be established by the U.S. in consultation 

with UNESCO. 

ARTICLE 9 -Secretariat 

1. The Centre's secretariat shall consist of a Director and such staff as is necessary for the 

proper functioning of the Centre. 

2. The Director shall be appointed by the U.S., in accordance with U.S. laws, regulations, and 

policies 

3. The other members of the secretariat may comprise: 

a) U.S. officials who are made available to the Centre, in accordance with U.S. laws, 

regulations, and policies; and 

b) Any person appointed by the Director, in accordance with U.S. laws, regulations, and 

policies. 

ARTICLE 10- Duties of the Centre Director 

The Director shall discharge the following duties: 

a) Direct the work of the Centre in conformity with the programmes and directives 

established by the host government; 
• It ,;zw:;;;tQiiJU.iit B&QJt4£JW ii\ttkk.tMi#iliM· 7M(!JIIJEUI J#k¥2Jki£1AIMJ4&:U4N .JJii;;;;ti ;:u 

b) Prepare and direct the Centre's work plans and budgets, and, in consultation with the 

director of the IWR, make a fmal decision on the Centre work plan and the budget; 

c) Lead the secretariat; 

d) Make available such documents as are needed by the Advisory Board to fulfill its 

functions as outlined in Article 8; and 

e) Represent the Centre in related international functions (i.e., conferences, symposia, 

workshops). 

ARTICLE 11- Contribution ofUNESCO 

1. Subject to U.S. laws, regulations, and policies, UNESCO may provide assistance, as 

needed, in the form of technical assistance for the programme activities of the Centre, in 

accordance with the strategic goals and objectives ofUNESCO. 

2. UNESCO undertakes to: 

a) Provide the assistance of its experts.in the specialized fields of the Centre; 

b) Engage in temporary staff exchanges, whereby the staff concerned will remain on the 

payroll of the dispatching organizations; and/or 

c) Second members of its staff temporarily, as may be decided by the Director-General 

on an exceptional basis if justified by the implementation of a joint activity/project 

within a strategic programme priority area. The staff concerned will remain on the 

payroll of the dispatching organizations. 

3. In all the cases listed above, such assistance shall not be undertaken except within the 

provisions of UNESCO's programme and budget. 

ARTICLE 12- Contribution of the United States 

1. The U.S., through the IWR and USACE, shall make all efforts to provide, in accordance 

with U.S. laws, regulations, and policies, the resources, either financial or in kind, needed for 

the administration and proper functioning of the Centre as provided for under this agreement. 

2. The U.S. undertakes to provide: 

a) The staff necessary for the performance of the Centre's functions and the 

compensations of the secretariat staff, including the Director; 

b) Appropriate office space, equipment and facilities; 

c) The communication, utilities and maintenance costs of the Centre, including the 

Centre's expenses related to the collaboration among Centre personnel and UNESCO, 

the Commission/Committee, and the IHP; and 

d) Funding, as may be made available and subject to the laws, regulations, and policies 

of the U.S., for studies, training, and publication activities related to this Agreement. 

3. This Agreement does not require the obligation of funds. Notwithstanding any other 

provision of this Agreement, all U.S. responsibilities and activities under this Agreement or 

any further implementing agreements between the Parties, shall be subject to the availability 

of funds. 

ARTICLE 13 -Responsibility of UNESCO 

As the Centre is legally separate from UNESCO, the latter shall not be legally responsible for 

it, and shall bear no liabilities of any kind, be tl1ey financial or otherwise, other than that 

UNESCO agrees to meet its obligations expressly laid down in this Agreement. 
ARTICLE 14- Evaluation 

1. The U.S. and/or, as mutually agreed, UNESCO, may at any time carry out an evaluation of 

the activities of the Centre in order to ascertain: 

a) Whether the Centre makes a significant contribution to the strategic goals of 

UNESCO; and 

b) Whether the activities effectively pursued by the Centre are in conformity with those 

set out in this Agreement. 

2. UNESCO and the U.S. undertake to submit to the Director and IWR, at the earliest 

opportunity, a report on any evaluation conducted. 

3. Following the results of an evaluation, each of the Parties may terminate the Agreement or 

request a revision of its contents, as provided in Articles 18 and 19. 

ARTICLE 15- Use of UNESCO Name and Logo 

1. The Centre may mention its affiliatiOn with UNESCO. It may therefore use after its title the 

mention "under the auspices of UNESCO". 

2. l'he Centre is authorized to use the UNESCO logo or a version thereof on its letterheaded 

paper and documents (including electronic documents), and web pages in accordance with the 

conditions established by the governing bodies of UNESCO. 

ARTICLE 16 -Entry into Force 

This Agreement shall enter into force when the Parties have informed each other in writing 

that all of their respective domestic formalities required therefore have been completed. The 

date of the latter notification shall be deemed to be the date of entry into force of this 

Agreement. 

ARTICLE 17- Duration 

The agreement is concluded for a period of six (6) years as from its entry into force and may 

be renewed only by written agreement. 

ARTICLE 18- Termination 

1 , Each of the Parties shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement unilaterally. Such 

termination must be made in writing. 

2. Termination shall take effect 180 days following the date of written notification sent by one 

of the Parties to the other. 

ARTICLE 19- Amendments 

This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Parties. 

ARTICLE 10 -Settlement of Disputes 

Any dispute between UNESCO and the U.S. concerning the interpretation or application of 

this Agreement shall be settled by negotiation or any other appropriate method mutually 

agreed by the Parties. 
IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby sign this Agreement. 

DONE in duplicate in the English language, on 29 October 2009. 

For the United States of America 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Q;~ener~. ~TP Riley 

Deputy Commanding General 

For the United Nations Educational, 

Scientific and Cultural Organization 

Director-General