The main mission of the International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures is to recognize, transfer knowledge and experience, promote information and capacity building on all aspects of qanat technology and other historic hydraulic structures in order to achieve sustainable development of water resources and public welfare in communities whose existence depend on the rational exploitation of resources and the preservation of such historic structures.
Another task is to promote research and development for the restoration of qanats and other traditional historic hydraulic structures towards sustainable development objectives through international cooperation and global knowledge and technology transfer. Another important goal of the center is the preservation of cultural values in terms of the material and spiritual framework.