This report, a part of the World Water Assessment Programme´s side publication series, sets out to explore some of the practical aspects of the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The presentation covers the following topics: 1) the relevance of IWRM for a number of key development issues; 2) the key characteristics of the concept; 3) the global status of IWRM; 4) practical implementation, the challenges; 5) practical implementation, case studies showing successful applications to problematic management scenarios; and 6) how IWRM programmes are being linked with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and adaptation to climate chage by the setting of achievement milestones.
