By Abdullahi Lukman
UNESCO and the Government of Tabasco have established an Advisory Committee to support the Water Security Plan for the Mezcalapa–Samaria Sub-basin, aimed at strengthening water security and climate change adaptation in seven municipalities of Tabasco, Mexico.
The committee, launched on January 27, will provide coordination, dialogue and technical advice to support the implementation of the plan, which was developed under UNESCO’s scientific guidance.
Its work is expected to enhance community resilience, particularly in areas frequently affected by flooding.
Key priorities include improving early warning systems through advanced modelling, developing comprehensive emergency response protocols, strengthening the capacities of public officials and flood-prone communities, and promoting public participation through outreach initiatives such as a Virtual Water Museum.
Collaboration with journalists and media organisations will also form part of the strategy.
UNESCO Representative to Mexico, Andrés Morales, said the committee reflects a renewed commitment to communities facing climate and environmental challenges, noting that it will help identify synergies, share lessons learned and generate governance and technical recommendations to strengthen the Water Security Plan.
The plan targets populations exposed to recurrent flooding in the sub-basin, especially more than 25,000 people living along the Samaria River, and seeks to improve coordination among institutions responsible for managing hydrometeorological risks.
It was developed with technical input from the Regional Centre for Water Security (CERSHI), a UNESCO Category 2 Centre based in Mexico.
UNESCO and CERSHI will serve as the Technical Secretariat of the advisory body, which includes representatives from federal and state governments, academic and research institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and international cooperation agencies.
Since 2023, UNESCO in Mexico has been implementing a broader programme, supported by ENI Mexico, to strengthen resilience and promote sustainable development in Tabasco through collaboration with government institutions, academia, the private sector and local communities.
