In response to contemporary water-related challenges, such as water resources conservation and protection against its harmful impacts on humans and the environment, the international association Belt and Road International Water Alliance (BRIWA) was established on October 25, 2025, in Nanjing, China, under the auspices of the Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute (NHRI), which celebrates 90 years of its existence in 2025.

Among the invited founding organizations is the Serbian Society for Hydraulic Research and Hydrology (SDHIH), recognized as a prominent hydraulic research and engineering association in the Balkan region.

The aim of BRIWA is to provide support for water-related research, improving the dissemination of contemporary knowledge and technologies, enhancing the visibility of issues related to the preservation of water resources, fostering research collaboration, and others.

The Alliance has received the support of the International Association for Hydro-Environmental Engineering and Research (IAHR), one of the world’s most prominent international water research associations.