Together, these case studies highlighted how advances in modelling, monitoring and data analysis are increasingly being translated into operational tools that support planning, infrastructure design and disaster risk reduction at national and local levels. The workshop also underlined the persistent challenge of data gaps, particularly for sediments, inundation records and small island states, and called for continued efforts to improve observation networks and data sharing.
In parallel, UNESCO convened the 8th Workshop on the Catalogue of Hydrological Analysis (CHA), Volume 4, focusing on water shortage, scarcity, and drought in Asia and the Pacific. Participants from across the region presented case studies on:
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Provincial and community-level drought management;
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Groundwater dependence in dry zones and island environments;
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Drought monitoring and forecasting systems combining historical records with modern climate models;
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Governance and institutional challenges in allocating scarce water between sectors.
Discussions showed that while hydrological and climate tools for drought analysis are improving, many countries still face fragmentation of responsibilities, limited data, and the need to better integrate local knowledge into formal planning. The workshop agreed that CHA Volume 5 will focus on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), with publication planned for 2028, to better connect scientific analysis with policy and institutional frameworks.