Due to the lack of a comprehensive and holistic water governance model that properly understands and manages the interrelationships among the various components of the system, water management practices in Iran have, in many cases, led to crises and instability in water resources as well as widespread consequences in other sectors. In the current era, with the expansion of information and communication technologies, modern governance models, including open governance, have been considered by researchers as effective approaches for improving resource management. The present study aims to design a water governance model for Iran based on the principles of open governance and sustainable governance. This study followed a qualitative-exploratory approach and employed mixed methods. In the first step, through a systematic review of the relevant literature, the indicators, requirements, and solutions for open and sustainable governance were extracted from 72 articles. Then, for each indicator, practical requirements and solutions, in addition to those from the literature, were identified and completed through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with water experts. The combination of these two stages and the prioritization of indicators and requirements using the DEMATEL method and expert scoring provided the basis for designing the proposed model. The findings indicate that by implementing practical solutions and observing the requirements related to transparency and access to information, participation and collaboration, accountability and responsibility, technology and innovation, flexibility, holism, evidence-based approach, purposiveness, and value-orientation, a theoretical and practical framework for Iran's water governance can be presented. This framework, by adopting a systemic approach, can help reform governance structures, achieve optimal management of water resources, and effectively address the country's water crises.

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Sustainable management of water resources in Iran has faced numerous challenges in recent decades. The absence of a comprehensive and holistic governance model capable of understanding and coordinating the interrelationships among the diverse components of the water management system (including decision-making bodies, water users, policymakers, and civil society) has led to widespread instabilities and crises in the country's water resources. In the current era, with the expansion of information and communication technologies, new governance models, such as open governance, have garnered researchers' attention as efficient approaches for improving resource management. This research aims to design a water governance model in Iran based on the principles of open governance and sustainable governance. The primary objective of this study is to identify the key concepts of open and sustainable governance and systematically apply them to Iran's water governance system, in a way that can enhance efficiency and equity in resource allocation, thereby facilitating the achievement of sustainable water development. To this end, the present study endeavors, by adopting a systemic approach, to formulate the link between the indicators of open and sustainable governance and the practical requirements and solutions associated with these indicators in Iran's water governance. This model seeks to provide a systematic framework for policy-making and decision-making at the national level by presenting a prioritization of indicators and their corresponding requirements, ensuring its implement ability within the actual context of the country's water resource management.

Method
This study adopted a qualitative-exploratory approach and utilized mixed methods. In the first phase, key indicators, requirements, and practical solutions were extracted through a systematic literature review (SLR) of topics related to open and sustainable governance. This review involved the analysis of 72 final selected articles identified through a screening process based on the research criteria. These consisted of 44 articles from Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Noormags; 17 articles from Springer, Emerald, and Magiran; and 11 articles identified through snowball sampling (references of previous articles). In the next phase, for each indicator extracted from the literature, the associated requirements were identified and supplemented, building upon prior studies. This was achieved through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with water sector experts in Iran. Furthermore, practical solutions were formulated from the outset by relying on the thematic analysis of these semi-structured interviews. Using a problem-oriented approach, these solutions were examined and categorized across five key stakeholder levels: the public sector, the private sector, civil society and citizens, local governments, and the media. Finally, the integration of findings from these two phases provided the foundation for designing the proposed water governance model for Iran, based on the principles of open and sustainable governance. In the final stage, the prioritization process was conducted such that indicators were determined based on a combination of their alignment with existing weaknesses in Iran's water governance (using expert scoring) and their influence on other indicators (using the DEMATEL method). Similarly, requirements were prioritized based on a combination of their influence on other requirements within their respective indicators (using the DEMATEL method) and their importance in achieving the targeted indicator (using expert scoring).

Findings
The qualitative findings of this study, derived from the synthesis and comprehensive analysis of data obtained through the systematic literature review and thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in Iran's water governance, identified and categorized the key indicators, requirements, and practical solutions for open and sustainable water governance. These findings are as follows:

Indicators of Open and Sustainable Governance: Seven key indicators were identified in this domain: transparency and access to information, participation and collaboration, accountability and responsiveness, technology and innovation, evidence-based and goal-oriented approach, flexibility and holism, and finally, value-based governance.
Requirements: A set of essential requirements, corresponding to each of the aforementioned indicators, was extracted to realize water governance in Iran based on the principles of open and sustainable governance.
Practical Solutions: Practical solutions corresponding to each indicator were identified to implement water governance in Iran based on open and sustainable governance principles. These solutions were categorized into five executive sectors: the public sector, the private sector, civil society and citizens, local governments, and the media.

Furthermore, the quantitative findings of the study, resulting from the integration of expert scoring and the DEMATEL method, indicated that policy actions should be prioritized in the following order: transparency and access to information, participation and collaboration, accountability and responsiveness, technology and innovation, evidence-based and goal-oriented approach, flexibility and holism, and finally, value-based governance. This prioritization, in conjunction with adhering to the ranked requirements for each indicator, establishes an operational roadmap for implementation.

Conclusion
In the realm of water governance in Iran, existing research has largely remained theoretical, neglecting the development of practical, indigenous models. Traditional water management methods have become inefficient, highlighting the urgent need to adopt novel approaches and technologies. Effective water management necessitates a cross-sectoral perspective, participatory decision-making, accountability, demand management, sustainable behavioral change, effective stakeholder negotiation, and flexible organizational structures. Open governance, by leveraging information technology and concepts such as open data and open government, can facilitate optimal water management through enhanced transparency, participation, accountability, and innovation. On the other hand, the sustainable governance approach emphasizes the balance between economic, social, environmental, and political dimensions, deeming the distribution of power and responsibility among government, the private sector, and civil society essential. The integration of these two approaches creates a comprehensive framework for managing Iran's water resources. The primary innovation of this study lies in linking the theoretical foundations of open and sustainable governance with the experiences of Iranian experts, thereby providing a scientific and practical model with a systemic approach for policymakers and water sector managers. Prioritization in the implementation of the model identifies the starting point for interventions, maximizing effectiveness. The practical implications of this model include strengthening trust, improving institutional efficiency, empowering citizens, fostering innovation, achieving a balanced distribution of power, enhancing decision-making, and increasing transparency, all of which contribute to reforming structures and addressing the country's water crises.

Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Authors’ Contribution
Authors’ Contributions: All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed collaboratively. All authors contributed to writing the manuscript and approved the final version.

Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments
The author(s) declare that there are no acknowledgments.