Page 61 - CIWA AR25

Cross-Cutting Themes: Water Data Revolution

analysis, gaining hands-on experience with platforms like Google of sharing in-situ data across borders, promoting transparency and
Earth Engine and the World Bank’s geospatial tools, which enable trust—critical ingredients for regional cooperation.
organizations to monitor water availability, predict hazards, and
make data-informed decisions. The work developed under WDR establishes a foundation for
the future implementation of basin‑wide analytical tools,
WDR then co‑created tailored WA Dashboards with clients enabling the practical and integrated use of data in decision
and IWMI. The pilot RBOs were the VBA, INMACOM, and making. Moving forward, a more focused approach will be

ZAMCOM. To ensure the effective integration of the WA tools, required to address the specific and unique needs of each
in-person and online training sessions were conducted for the RBO, necessitating detailed assessments of their requirements.

VBA and INMACOM in 2024, enabling hands-on learning and Additionally, future efforts must consider the significant
the application of the developed tools (see View from the Field variations in existing capacities among RBOs, ensuring that tools
story on Dr. Rafatou Fofana). The WA dashboards are available for are developed with these differences in mind.
various end-users, including line Ministries and RBO staff.
RBOs participating in the initiative reported significantly

improved technical capacity, stronger ownership of data tools,
and enhanced regional cooperation.
These WA dashboards enable transparent, standardized
assessments of water use and availability at different
geographical scales—foundational for sustainable transboundary
water management. Built on the WA+ methodology developed by
the IWMI, the dashboards are powered entirely by satellite-derived,
public domain data. This ensures open access, reduces costs, and
sidesteps the political and logistical complexities

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