The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially launched the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL) Network, an initiative aimed at strengthening water resource management worldwide and inviting laboratories to join in generating consistent and reliable data to support informed water management decisions.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that the network reflects the agency’s commitment to empowering countries and promoting international collaboration. Jody Miller, Head of the Isotope Hydrology Section, noted that laboratories will be able to analyze their own water resources, gaining tools for protection and effective management.
Laboratories participating in the GloWAL Network will receive specialized training in isotope hydrology and water quality analysis. They will also benefit from quality assurance support, a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, and opportunities to take part in coordinated research projects. The network is organized into four types of nodes—Development, Growth, Anchor, and Affiliate—each with distinct roles in mentoring and fostering collaboration, accommodating laboratories of varying capacities.
Regional networks are being established across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Central Asia, focusing on local priorities while supporting cross-border cooperation.
The establishment and operation of the GloWAL Network will help countries generate comparable and reliable water data, make evidence-based decisions, and support coordinated regional water management strategies. This represents an important step toward achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 — ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.