New York, New York, 7 July 2026 – The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the Spatial Informatics Group – Natural Assets Laboratory (SIG-NAL), host of SERVIR’s Global Secretariat, have launched a strategic partnership to advance the use of Earth intelligence for sustainable development through joint research, capacity development, and global policy engagement. The partnership is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two organizations.
The collaboration brings together UNU-INWEH’s expertise in policy-relevant research, education, and capacity development with SERVIR’s globally coordinated, locally led network of regional hubs that translate satellite Earth observation, geospatial science, and GeoAI into operational tools and decision support for governments and communities. Together, the organizations will work to strengthen climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, water security, flood management, food security, and forest management through science, innovation, and locally grounded implementation.
"Communities across the Global South are on the front lines of the water and climate crisis, yet they often have the least access to the data and science needed to respond," said Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH. "Through this partnership with SIG-NAL and the SERVIR network, we can harness Earth observation science to generate insights and build capacity for better policy development across the globe."
This partnership builds a framework for collaboration across several areas of mutual interest. Together, the organizations will contribute to flagship research and policy products that combine SERVIR’s geospatial datasets, Earth intelligence capabilities, and regional scientific expertise with UNU-INWEH’s leadership in policy synthesis, education, and dissemination. The organizations will also jointly develop training materials, certified learning opportunities, and capacity development initiatives that expand access to geospatial science and Earth intelligence through online and in-person learning.
Beyond research and education, the partnership will explore scientific collaboration, policy engagement, and joint resource mobilization. Through SERVIR’s regional hubs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the partnership will create opportunities for scientists, practitioners, and institutions to participate in science and policy dialogues, develop learning resources, strengthen technical capacity, and collaborate with UN entities and other partners on initiatives that advance shared development and environmental objectives.
“Tackling the world’s most pressing environmental challenges requires scientific excellence and strong partnerships,” said Pete Epanchin, SIG-NAL’s Director of Global Partnerships. “This collaboration brings together UNU’s global leadership in research and capacity development with SERVIR’s operational Earth intelligence network to help translate scientific advances into practical tools, knowledge, and decision support for governments and communities around the world.”
Initial areas of collaboration may include applied research, training, and decision-support activities related to flood preparedness and flood management, water security, drought resilience, forest conservation and management, food security, ecosystem monitoring, and other areas where Earth observation science can support policy, planning, and local action.
The collaboration reflects a shared recognition that addressing today’s environmental and development challenges requires more than scientific discovery alone. It requires trusted partnerships that connect Earth intelligence with policy, institutional capacity, and locally led implementation. By combining complementary strengths, UNU-INWEH and SERVIR aim to accelerate the translation of Earth observation science and GeoAI into measurable societal impact.
About UNU-INWEH
Marking its 30th anniversary of operation in 2026, the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is one of 13 institutions that make up the United Nations University (UNU), the academic arm of the UN. Known as 'The UN's Think Tank on Water', UNU-INWEH addresses critical water, environmental, and health challenges around the world. Through research, training, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination, the institute contributes to solving pressing global sustainability and human security issues of concern to the UN and its Member States. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, UNU-INWEH has been hosted and supported by the Government of Canada since 1996. With a global mandate and extensive partnerships across UN entities, international organizations, and governments, UNU-INWEH operates through its UNU Hubs in Calgary, Hamburg, New York, Lund, and Pretoria, and an international network of affiliates.
About SERVIR
SERVIR is a globally coordinated, locally led network of regional hubs that works with governments and partners to co-develop Earth observation, geospatial, and GeoAI-enabled decision-support systems that strengthen climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, and environmental stewardship.
About SIG-NAL
The Spatial Informatics Group – Natural Assets Laboratory (SIG-NAL) hosts the Global Secretariat for SERVIR and works with SERVIR’s regional hubs and international partners to advance scientific innovation, build shared digital infrastructure, and strengthen the operational use of Earth intelligence for sustainable development.
