September 2017

The Junior/Medior Groundwater Specialist participates in the development and implementation of all IGRAC activities and projects, including the Global Groundwater Monitoring Network (GGMN) programme and the assessment of internationally shared aquifers within the ISARM programme. The specialist updates the content of the Global Groundwater Information System (GGIS), maintains the underlying database and online portal and oversees further GGIS software development. The duties also include organising, conducting and follow-up of meetings and workshops organised by IGRAC in various parts of the world. 

The WHYMAP consortium has launched the World Karst Aquifer Map (WoKAM). The map is intended to increase the awareness of these valuable but vulnerable freshwater supplies and to help to address global water resources management. This World Karst Aquifer Map allows a more precise global quantification of karst systems and will help to increase awareness of karst groundwater resources in the context of global water issues.

During the last meeting of UN-Water, IGRAC presented a proposal to produce an overview of groundwater activities by UN-Water Members (UN agencies and programmes) and Partners (UN affiliated organisations, NGOs, int. associations, etc.) organisations. The proposal is presented on behalf of UNESCO, IAH, IWMI, IUCN and IGRAC. The overview will be presented at the World Water Forum in Brasilia next spring.