The UNESCO Chair hosted at UWC is guided by the UNESCO offices (Harare, Nairobi and Paris) and supported by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. The Chair has established extensive networks at national and international levels with a focus on Africa. Thanks to the numerous short courses and projects the UNESCO Chair has undertaken, it has forged many linkages with local and international universities and companies, the Ministries of Water, UN agencies and individuals in private sectors. There is a linkage with four Flemish universities in Belgium, NUFU in Norway and Denmark.

The Chair has been instrumental in establishing the Environment & Water Programme at UWC and participation in NEPAD Water COE in southern Africa. The Chair is actively involved in annual ChinAfrica Water Forum since the year 2003.