The UNESCO Chairs Programme, established in 1992 under UNESCO’s UNITWIN (University Twinning and Networking) initiative, aims to advance research, training and knowledge-sharing in priority areas related to UNESCO’s mandate. A UNESCO Chair is hosted by a higher education or research institution and serves as a focal point for building academic cooperation at national, regional and international levels.

UNESCO Chairs operate through networks that link universities, research institutions, policymakers and civil society. They promote interdisciplinary approaches, foster North–South and South–South cooperation, and contribute to evidence-based policy development by translating academic knowledge into practical solutions.

The programme offers several benefits, including strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing international visibility, supporting innovation and research excellence, and contributing directly to national and global development priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sri Lanka hosts a UNESCO Chair at the Madanjeet Singh South Asia Water Management Institute, which contributes to research, capacity-building and regional cooperation in the field of water management, addressing critical challenges related to sustainable development, climate resilience and water security in South Asia.