IWMI unveils MaiWater AI at UN General Assembly to speed shared water decisions across transboundary river basins
The International Water Management Institute has unveiled MaiWater AI, a tool designed to help governments manage transboundary river basins through AI-augmented hydrological modeling. The initiative aims to harmonize fragmented water data to facilitate faster, evidence-based decision-making.
Why it matters
Improved water management is critical for regional stability and climate resilience in areas where water resources are shared across international borders.
Stakeholders at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York reviewed a preview of MaiWater AI, an artificial intelligence-augmented hydrological modelling initiative designed to help governments turn fragmented water data into faster, shared decisions across river basins. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) led the showcase during a high-level consultation hosted by the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the UN, with feedback aimed at shaping the next phase ahead of a planned launch at the 2026 UN Water Conference in December.
MaiWater AI combines an AI-augmented hydrological model with a decision-support dashboard and a digital twin, positioned as a “public-good modelling engine” that is intended to reflect local realities while making hydrological intelligence more accessible. IWMI describes the effort as a flagship under the CGIAR AI Hub, delivered through the CGIAR Digital Transformation Accelerator.
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