International cooperation facilitates the development of water management. In many cases, development does not necessarily require the invention of new things, but the exploration and implementation of good practices that have already proven themselves in other parts of the world. Knowledge sharing improves theory and helps to find appropriate practical solutions. From time to time, it may be useful to examine the state of development of water management in comparison with other countries. Climate change and demography turn attention to water management and collaboration. The authors of this article examine and compare the water management of Hungary and Rio Grande do Norte. Both places face similar challenges in many aspects. The main objective of this article is to recommend future development directions in terms of water management. Research results might stimulate further common cooperation between the countries and work on international projects. The authors examined and compared the climatic and hydrological conditions, organizational structure and the challenges, water management needs to face.