IWC5 Sponsorship Information

The 5th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference is made possible thanks to generous financial support from a variety of sources. Our extreme gratitude goes to our host country, whose support is furnished by Australian Agency for for International Development (AusAID).





AusAID is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing Australia's overseas aid program. The objective of the aid program is to assist developing countries reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia's national interest. AusAID provides advice and support to the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary on development policy, and plans and coordinates poverty reduction activities in partnership with developing countries.

Significant support has also been provided by the following private sector sponsors:

World Wild Fund for Nature - Australia

Contact: Peter Ramshaw

With more than 40 years experience at an international level, and more than 25 years of operation in Australia, WWF is the world's largest and most influential conservation organisation. We have close to five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. In Australia, WWF works to conserve the nation's biodiversity, providing practical solutions to our greatest environmental threats. Our teams work on the ground with local communities, and in partnership with government and industry, advocating change and effective conservation policy. We take a science-based approach to our conservation work and are committed to real, measurable outcomes for the environment which directly benefit Australian species and natural resources like water, land and the marine environment. WWF's work in Australia focuses on eight key areas: climate change, weeds and feral animals, land and forests, marine protection, species, water management, sustainable industry and business partnerships.

Project AWARE

Contact: Joanne Marston

The Project AWARE Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. With headquarters in the United States and offices in Australia, Japan, Switzerland and United Kingdom, Project AWARE combats challenges facing aquatic resources in 175 countries and territories with direct support from divers and water enthusiasts worldwide.

Terrain Natural Resource Management

Contact: Alan Dale

Terrain NRM is the Natural Resource Management body for the Wet Tropics. We are a not-for-profit company, and our membership includes over 120 local organizations with key roles managing the region's natural resources according to the targets and actions set out in our regional NRM plan.

Reef & Rainforest Research Centre

Contact: David Souter

The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited (RRRC) was created in 2006 to implement the Australian Government's Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) in North Queensland. The RRRC manages a major portfolio of catchment, coastal and marine research projects, focused on meeting the needs of research. Users include natural resource managers and industry.

Sinclair Knight Merz

Contact: Mike Huber

Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is a leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm. Its purpose is to deliver a positive and enduring impact on the world. With offices across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

Quicksilver Cruises

Contact: Russell Hoare

With the widest range of Great Barrier Reef experiences, Quicksilver offers a choice of award-winning day trips to the magnificent Outer Barrier Reef and the idyllic Low Isles. Quicksilver is also extremely active in reef conservation and research and maintains an in-house team of marine biologists.

James Cook University

Contact: Michael Bird

One of the world's leading institutions focusing on the tropics, Australia's James Cook University is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the Wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Our unique location enables students from Australia and overseas to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world.

Cleaner Seas Alliance

Contact: Mike Huber

As part of its obligations to meet the requirements of the state government's Coastal Management Plan, Cairns Regional Council initiated the Cleaner Seas Initiative. Compliance with the requirements of this plan sees Cairns Water & Waste undertaking major upgrades at our four major wastewater treatment plants over the next three years. The $188 million plus Cleaner Seas Project is being delivered by an alliance between Cairns Water & Waste, Cairns Regional Council and an expert team involving United Group Limited Infrastructure, CEC Construction, GHD and Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM).

EcoStrategic Consultants

Contact: Steve Raaymakers

EcoStrategic Consultants is a global network of experts providing science based solutions for a sustainable society. We focus mainly on coastal and marine services, with specialist expertise in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of international technical cooperation projects, including in the GEF International Water portfolio area. EcoStrategic can deploy a single consultant to undertake specific tasks, or assemble tailor-made project teams for larger projects.