[[Image:IWRM photo.png|right|200px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/IWRM-components/ GWP]]]
[[Image:IWRM photo2.png|right|200px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/IWRM-Application/ GWP]]]
[[Image:IWRM photo3.png|right|200px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/ GWP]]]
[[Image:IWRM photo4.png|right|200px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/Gender-and-IWRM/ GWP]]]
[[Image:IWRM photo5.png|right|200px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/Key-IWRM-concepts/ GWP]]]
IWRM is based on the understanding that water resources are an integral component of the ecosystem, a natural resource, and a social and economic good. Managers, whether in the government or private sectors, have to make difficult decisions on water allocation. More and more they have to apportion diminishing supplies between ever-increasing demands. Drivers such as demographic and climatic changes further increase the stress on water resources. The traditional fragmented approach is no longer viable and a more holistic approach to water management is essential.
===IWRM Planning Cycle===
[[Image:IWRM planning.png|none|500px|Source: [http://www.gwp.org/en/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/IWRM-Application/ GWP]]] ===Field experiences===[[Image:IWRM central-asia.jpg|none|400px|link=http://centralasia.iwlearn.org/]]<br><font size="3">[http://centralasia.iwlearn.org/ Promoting IWRM and Fostering Transboundary Dialogue in Central Asia]</font>. This project aims to support more sustainable and efficient management of water resources in the region as well as to enhance cooperation between the states on water management-related issues through interventions at the national level (mainly Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), and at the transboundary level (mainly Kazakhstan). * This project builds upon earlier initiatives in the partner countries, leveraging successful projects and experiences to further advance the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).* It is implemented by the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center through its Regional Office in Almaty as well as the UNDP Country Offices in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.* The total budget of the project is USD 5.4 million, including in-kind contributions. The financing partners are the European Union, contributing EUR 1.5 million, Finland and ENVSEC. ====Akvo RSR Projects====The following project(s) use IWRM. {|style="border: 2px solid #e0e0e0; width: 20%; text-align: justify; background-color: #e9f5fd;" cellpadding="2"|- style="vertical-align: top"|[[Image:akvorsr logo_lite.png|center|60px|link=http://akvo.org/products/rsr/]]|- style="vertical-align: bottom"|[[Image:project 1634.png |thumb|center|140px|<font size="2"><center>[http://rsr.akvo.org/project/1634/ RSR Project 1634]<br>Project <br>MULGRO</center></font>|link=http://rsr.akvo.org/project/1634/ ]] |}
===Acknowledgements===
* [http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/iwrm.shtml Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)]. UN Water.
* [http://www.gwp.org/The-Challenge/What-is-IWRM/ What is IWRM?]. GWP.
