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Outline and subthemes
Day 1: A Celebration: 30 years of GEF IW achievements and impact
Day 2: Technical Site Visits
Day 3: Bridging Then and Now: Impactful solutions, tools, and innovative approaches
Day 4: Transforming the Future: Opportunities and challenges

Day One

A Celebration: 30 years of GEF IW achievements and impact
Monday 23 September 2024
Enjoy Hotel, Punta de Este

Plenary

9:00-10:30 - Opening Ceremony

Location: Room Punta del Este 1
Master of Ceremony: William Ehlers 

Welcome address GEF International Waters

Speakers:

• His Excellency Omar Paganini, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• His Excellency Robert Bouvier, Minister of Environment
• Frederick Boltz, Manager of Programs, GEF Secretariat
• Alfonso Fernández de Castro, Resident Representative, UNDP
• Ernesto Fernández Polcuch, Director, UNESCO Montevideo

Overview and Evaluation of GEF IW

Speakers

• Andrew Hume, IW Focal Area Coordinator, GEF Sec
• Ines Benabdallah, Environmental Specialist, GEF Sec
• Taylor Henshaw, Senior Environmental Specialist, GEF Sec
• Mitsuaki Hirai, Evaluation Officer, GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)
• Jeneen Reyes Garcia, Evaluation Officer, GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)

30+ years of GEF International Waters

Speakers:

• Alfred Duda, former GEF IW
• Isabelle Vanderbeck, GEF IW Task Manager, UNEP
• Vladimir Mamaev, Regional Technical Advisor, UNDP
• Fatou Sock, CFI Project Manager, FAO

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10:30-11:00  - Break: Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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11:00-12:30 - (Stream 1) Kick off

Location: Room Punta del Este 1
Master of Ceremony: William Ehlers 

Catalysing Transboundary Cooperation - Panel discussion with policy makers and key actors

Panel:

• Mr. Miguel Stutzin, GEF OFP, Ministry of Environment, Chile
• Ms. Thuy Ahn Nguyen, Head of Development Cooperation, Ministry of Environment, Viet Nam
• Mr. Lono Leneuoti, Climate Change Department, Tuvalu
• Mr. Gilbert Mawere, Director Water Resources Development, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe
• Ignacio Lorenzo, Director of Biodiversity and Climate Technical Advisory Services, CAF

GEF IW Highlights from the Host Region

Speakers

• Bermejo – Mark Lambrides, OAS
• Pantanal – Marisa Castro, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bolivia
• Guarani – Jorge Rucks, CAF
• Maritime Front - Ana Maria Nunez, UNDP
• Amazon – Maria Apostolova, ACTO
• Humboldt – Esteban Delgado, UNDP

IW:LEARN: from a pilot initiative to phase V

Speakers:

• Mish Hamid, former IW:LEARN Project Manager, IAEA
• Konstantina Toli, IW:LEARN Project Coordinator, UNESCO-IOC

Pitches: Interactive Sessions & Workshops

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12:30-14:00  - Lunch: Room Montecarlo
Innovation Marketplace - Foyer

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14:00-15:30  - Stream 1: Interactive Sessions

Theme A: Evolution and Innovation towards the next generation of transboundary cooperation and governance: From Assessment to Action 
Location: Punta del Este 2

Lead organization: UNDP
Session lead: Adnan Awad
Co-lead: Natalie Degger, UNIDO

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Theme B: Achieving policy coherence from source to sea 
Location: Punta del Este 1

Lead organization: UNEP
Session lead: Isabelle Vanderbeck
Co-lead: Sarah Davidson and Jacquelyn Beatie (WWF)  

Contributors/Speakers: 

• Ruth Mathews (SIWI)  

• Dimitris Faloutsos (GWP)  

• Tanja Lieuw (CarBluEFin/CBF)  

• Alessandro Candeloro (UNEP/MAP)  

• Jared Bosire (WIO-SAP/Nairobi Convention)  

• Laverne Walker (IWECO/Cartagena Convention)  

• Anders Poulsen (SCS SAP)  

• Maria Apostolova (Amazon SAP/ACTO)  

• Jacquelyn Beatie (FW Challenge/WWF)   

• Nancy Bermas (PEMSEA)  

• Eddie Riddel (Limpopo)  

• Miguel Maldonado (Humbolt)  

• Arthur Beusen (INMS/PBL)  

• Pedro Moreo (CREW+)   

Format: Interactive session 

Agenda (brief): 

• Setting the scene 

• A Source to Sea debate 

• Voting time and sharing of experience   

Moderators: Isabelle Vanderbeck (UNEP) and Jaquelyn Beatie (WWF)   

Rapporteur: TBC 

Description of session: 

The audience will be quizzed on their source-to-sea knowledge. In a Ted Talk style, following the Pecha Kucha format, two teams with RBOs and LMEs will debate why it is important to include the source-to-sea approach in GEF projects to ensure policy coherence. Grounded in their own experience, the audience will vote on the most convincing team.   

Session Objectives:  

This session will introduce the source-to-sea concept, its benefits and opportunities for achieving policy coherence.  It will also discuss challenges and provide perspectives, and show case tips and good practices  from the freshwater and marine community of projects and partners promoting a holistic S2S management approach, across sectoral and administrative boundaries, bringing together upstream and downstream stakeholders to ensure healthy ecosystems and resilient societies.   

It will also explore concrete ways for the two communities (freshwater and marine) to collaborate for enhanced policy and management coherence.   

Expected outcomes:  

The project community will be more aware of the benefits and challenges of promoting an integrated management approach to the join management of inland and coastal waters.    

The session would have enticed the project community to establish a community of practice on S2S including a chat platform to share lessons learned and exchange knowledge, tips and pose questions to other IW projects.  

Specific inputs to GEF-9:  

1. Need for codification of S2S practices into a solution/how to manual online portal to be done by IWLEARN  

2. Need for the GEF 9 strategy to have a strategic objective and resources on S2S to ensure it is truly institutionalised    

3. One could perhaps envisage an IP on S2S which would address all the S2S “flows”  (ecological, pollution, governance, socio economic, stakeholder coordination). At present the CHO IP focusses solely on pollution flows.   

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Theme C: Towards the 30x30 Target Across the Globe
Location: Rio C

Lead organization: CI-GEF Project Agency
Session lead: Olivia Reed, Conservation International

Contributors/speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Dr. Puri Canals, Global Network of MPA Networks
• Lihla Noori, Blue Nature Alliance*
• Scott Atkinson & Madeline Beattie, Blue Nature Alliance*
• Flavia Rocha Loures, TNC*
• Jared Bosire, Nairobi Convention*
• Margarita Garcia & Sergio Garzón, UNEP/UNOPS*
• Romain Renoux, MedFUND*
• Renaud Dupuy de la Grandrive, MedPAN, Global Alliance*

Format: World Café

Agenda:

• Welcome & opening/global remarks, CI-GEF Agency & Dr. Puri Canals, Global Network of MPA Networks
• Lightening presentations providing a brief overview of the participating projects and their world café dialogue topic
• World Café rotating dialogues, featuring 6 deep dives on 30 x30 priority topics
• Facilitator Share-out, Next Steps & Closing

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): See names above with asterisks who will be capturing the dialogues and compiling the session report to GEF

Description of session:

This session will invite practitioners, GEF project managers, and subject experts to engage in an interactive and fast-paced dialogue on the enabling conditions needed to help the world meet the 30x30 Global Biodiversity Goal for ocean and coastal areas, inland waters and transboundary aquatic ecosystems. Through a world café format, participants will engage in conversations spanning numerous project areas and geographies to share lessons learned and develop recommendations for GEF-9 and beyond.

Session objectives:

Discover how partners can work together and focus their efforts to ensure the world meets the 30x30 Global Biodiversity Goal for ocean and coastal areas, inland waters and transboundary aquatic ecosystems, with networks of protected and conserved areas that are efficiently managed, ecologically representative, well-connected, equitably governed, and sustainably financed.

Expected outcomes:

Advance Global Protected and Conserved Area Management and designation/recognition by exchanging and collecting best practice and recommendationsfor mobilizing effective conservation and management of 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030.

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

Expected recommendations/inputs for GEF-9 include how the project cycle can support and prioritize policies/programs for effective protection of marine and freshwater ecosystems within protected and conserved areas at the international, regional, national, transboundary and community levels, with a view to ensuring ecological representativity and connectivity, equitable governance, and sustainable financing, and capacity development. 

Learning captured from the world café dialogues will be compiled, consolidated and published as the following: 

Towards 30 x30 Across the Globe GEF-9 Recommendations: 

• ACTIVATING CO-MANAGEMENT
• MOBILIZING REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR STRENGTHENING MPA NETWORKS
• IMPROVED REPRESENTATION OF FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
• EFFICIENT & SUSTAINABLE 30X30
• SCALING CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
• GLOBAL INTEGRATION OF MPA MANAGER NETWORKS AND CONSERVATION TRUST FUNDS

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15:30-16:00  -  Break: Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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16:00-17:30  - Workshops 

Session Title: ABNJ/cross-sectoral management and BBNJ Agreement ratification: an Ocean of opportunities
Session Code: WS-D1-01 

Location: Rio C  
Lead organization:  FAO 

Session leads: Viktoria Varga Lencses, FAO & Qingqing Wang, FAO 
Co-lead:  Miriam Balgos, Global Ocean Forum  
Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Anthony Thompson, Common Oceans Deep Sea Fisheries project, FAO  

• Anne Pasquet, Common Oceans Tuna Project, Maritime Stewardship Council  

• David Vousden, Common Oceans Sargasso Sea Project, Sargasso Sea Commission  

• Miriam Balgos, Common Oceans Cross Sectoral Project, Global Ocean Forum  

• Lorenzo Galbiati, FAO-GEF unit, FAO   

• Viktoria Varga Lencses, Common Oceans Program, FAO  

Rapporteur: Qingqing Wang, FAO 

Description of session: To be available shortly 

Session Objectives: 

Demonstrate the importance of cross sectoral cooperation in the ABNJ through practical examples.  

• Gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges for cross sectoral cooperation from the perspective of traditional sectors active in the ABNJ  

• Consider the scope and objectives of the recently agreed BBNJ agreement  

Expected outcomes:  

• A deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges in cross-sectoral cooperation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), particularly given the BBNJ Agreement.  

• Identification of key issues and strategies to improve the implementation of area-based management tools under the BBNJ Agreement, ensuring their effectiveness.  

• Concrete examples from traditional sectors active in ABNJ as practical insights, showcasing successful interactions and highlighting both opportunities and barriers to effective cooperation.   

• Exploration of the role of cross-sectoral cooperation in addressing climate change challenges within ABNJ, contributing to a holistic approach in governance and conservation efforts.  

Specific inputs to GEF-9:  

• Capacity building: Highlighting areas where States and various other stakeholders including civil society organizations require additional capacity to effectively engage in the management of ABNJ as well as in the BBNJ process, ensuring equitable participation and implementation of the agreement.  

• Policy and Governance Recommendations: Offering insights on governance structures and policy frameworks that can enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, which GEF-9 can support through targeted funding and initiatives.  

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Session Title: Accelerating the blue transformation in SIDS 
Session Code: WS-D1-02 
Location: Rio A

Lead organization:  UNDP
Session lead:  UNDP
Co-lead:  TBC

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• UNDP Project partners from SIDS, tbc 
• Adnan Awad, UNDP 
• Madeleine Nyiratuza, UNDP 
• AnaMaria Nunez, UNDP 
• Sofiane Mahjoub, UNDP 

Format: World Café

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): TBC

Description of session:

The draft Outcome Document of the 4th Conference on SIDS highlighted the need for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources to build resilient Ocean-based economies. This is especially true for SIDS. This event intends to strengthen the knowledge base of blue economy and foster discussion, among SIDS governments, GEF Agencies, Implementing Partners and donors, on how the GEF IW focal area can respond to the new needs of SIDS expressed during the 4th SIDS conference, by supporting blue economy enablers and support tools.  

Session Objectives: 

1. Identify gaps and bottlenecks in achieving SIDS sustainable ocean economy ambitions 
2. Discuss selected blue economy bottlenecks and how can GEF-9 support SIDS in addressing them 

Expected outcomes: 

A recommendation brief developed to support shaping GEF-9, and more specifically the IW focal areas, as to better respond to SIDS aspirations. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

A recommendation brief developed to support shaping GEF-9, and more specifically the IW focal areas, as to better respond to SIDS aspirations. 

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Session Title: Beyond Borders and Beyond Impacts: reconsidering cooperation of transboundary groundwaters
Session Code: WS-D1-03  
Location: Rio B 

Lead organization:  UNESCO-IHP 
Co-lead: Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• José-Luis Martin Bordes, UNESCO (Coastal aquifers/MED Programme)   

• Ricardo Burg, UNESCO / Guarani Project   

• Abdel Kader Dodo, OSS / NB-ITTAS  

• Mohamedou Baba Sy, OSS / SMAS  

• Mr Boban Jolovic, DIKTAS II GEF UNDP UNESCO technical consultant (TBC)  

• Lucia Samaniego, CeReGAS, UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network, TBC  

• Astrid Hillers, GEF IW  

Agenda: 

10 minutes	Introduction and Overview   - Welcome and Objectives (Miguel Doria, UNESCO IHP and OSS, name TBC)   - Introductory Speaker: Groundwater’s Multiple Benefits at the Transboundary Level (GEF Representative, Astrid Hillers?, TBC)
30 minutes	Part 1: Presentation of GEF Experiences and Case Studies   Moderator: OSS, name TBC   - Presentation by GEF IW Project Representatives on key transboundary aquifer projects     - Case Study 1: Transboundary interaction in the Guarani Aquifer System (Uruguay-Brazil case?, Lucia Samaniego, CeReGAS, TBC)     - Case Study 2: Groundwater local issues in the NB-ITTAS/SMAS (OSS to confirm the case and the speaker, Mohamedou Baba Sy/ Abdel Kader Dodo)     - Case Study 3: Conservation of Coastal Aquifers and dependent wetlands (José-Luis Martin Bordes, UNESCO IHP)
30 minutes	Part 2: Panel Discussion on Transboundary Aquifer Partnerships   Moderator: Miguel Doria, UNESCO-IHP   - Topics: Partnerships, Legal Frameworks, Governance, Cooperation beyond prevention of impacts   - José-Luis Martin Bordes, UNESCO IHP (based on MED project)   - Mohamedou Baba Sy/ Abdel Kader Dodo (based on NB-ITTAS and SMAS)   - Lucia Samaniego, CeReGAS, TBC (Stakeholder engagement, including youth)   - Ricardo Burg, UNESCO (based on Guarani Project)   - Boban Jolovic, DIKTAS II GEF UNDP UNESCO technical consultant (TBC) (based on DIKTAS project)   - Legal expert (TBC)
15 minutes	Interactive Discussion and Q&A   Moderator: Miguel Doria, UNESCO-IHP   - Open discussion and participant engagement   - Audience Q&A
5 minutes	Closing Remarks   - Summary of key takeaways and next steps (Facilitators or GEF Representative)

Possible questions for Panel:  

- How have partnerships between countries been instrumental in managing transboundary aquifers? Could you share examples from your projects?  

- What are the biggest challenges in fostering international cooperation around transboundary groundwater management?  

- How can local communities and stakeholders be more involved in the partnerships for managing transboundary aquifers?  

- How can transboundary cooperation go beyond preventing negative transboundary impacts to focus on improving climate resilience and regional social and economic development?  

- What role can transboundary aquifer partnerships play in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management?  

- Can you provide examples where cooperation at the aquifer level has resulted in broader regional benefits beyond water management, such as improved agriculture, energy, or climate adaptation?  

- How do you ensure the sustainability of partnerships and governance mechanisms once a project or funding cycle ends?  

• Rapporteur: TBC 

Description of session: 

Traditionally, river basins, lake basins, and aquifers have been managed as unified systems, reflecting the natural interconnectedness within these water bodies. However, multiple solutions and benefits are also relevant at more local level, as exemplified in the GEF portfolio, where actions implemented at pilot sites or local transboundary level have revealed direct benefits, particularly for transboundary aquifers.  

By examining examples from GEF IW projects, the workshop will first showcase and discuss localized groundwater issues and solutions, demonstrating their significance for water and food security, ecosystem protection, and sustainable resource management.  

In the second part, we will explore how the aquifer level can enhance experience sharing and foster a community of practice among countries. Moving beyond traditional concerns of resource allocation and pollution, or mitigating transboundary impacts, we will discuss how cooperation frameworks can promote best practices in integrated water management, biodiversity conservation, nexus approach, or climate resilience, while promoting local groundwater-based solutions.  

Session Objectives: 

1. Exchange experience on localized challenges in transboundary aquifers, focusing on synergies  with water security and resource sustainability.  

2. Discuss governance frameworks and the role of partnerships and international water law in managing shared aquifers.  

3. Facilitate experience sharing among participants to enhance joint management and cooperation on shared aquifers.  

Expected outcomes: 

1. Participants gain a deeper understanding of specific challenges facing transboundary aquifers and their broader impacts.  

2. Opportunities for new governance frameworks are identified, based on the principles of cooperation for experience sharing and groundwater solutions implementations, as discussed in the workshop.  

3. Participants identify and/or commit to pilot projects or initiatives that embody the collaborative principles discussed.  

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Advocate for GEF-9 to emphasize cooperative frameworks that facilitate ongoing exchange and collaboration among countries sharing transboundary aquifers, focusing on shared challenges like climate change, biodiversity, and water quality, rather than just conflict resolution.  

• Recommend prioritizing projects that not only identify but also implement groundwater solutions addressing climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable water use, encouraging countries to collaborate on practical, actionable strategies.  

• Propose integrated approaches in GEF-9 that connect groundwater management with broader goals such as climate adaptation and biodiversity, promoting cross-sectoral initiatives to tackle these challenges in a unified manner.  

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Session Title (provisional): Transboundary Water Governance - Bridging Borders
Session Code: WS-D1-04
Location: Punta del Este 2

Lead organization:  CAF
Session lead: Rene Gomez Garcia
Co-lead: UNDP, Limpopo Commission, Flavia Rocha, flavia.loures@tnc.org TNC, Silvia Benitez, sbenitez@tnc.org 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Flavia Roche Loures – Senior Policy Advisor Freshwater – The Nature Cosnervancy
• Silvia Benitez, Freshwater Director Latin America – The Nature Conservancy 
•  CAF (tbd) 
• UNDP 
• Mark Lambrides, Director of the Sustainable Development Department of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (TBC) – Organization of American States

Format : TBC

Agenda (draft):

• Opening remarks by CAF/GACBP 
• Presentation by UNDP (Eddie Riddell)
• Presentation by TNC – Lake Tanganyka (Fridolin NZAMBIMANA & Flavia Rocha)
• Presentation by OAS
• Presentation by TNC –Amazon Basin (Silvia Benitez)
• Q&A
• Wrap up & closing

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): CAF (TBC)

More information to be available shortly

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Session Title: How to scale-up public-private waterstewardship approaches
Session Code: WS-D1-05
Location: Punta del Este 1

Lead organization: UNIDO
Session lead: Christian Susan
Co-lead: MOEF Indonesia 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Christian Susan – UNIDO (Industrial Development Officer) 
• Muchamad Saparis Soedarjanto – MOEF (Director for Planning and Monitoring of Watershed Management) 
• Ii Dwi Rahmanto – MOEF (Reviewer of Watershed Management Statistical Data) 

Format: Workshop

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): UNIDO

Description of session:

UNIDO and MOEF will present an innovative approach to how a proactive multi-stakeholder private sector-catalyzed partnership for water stewardship can be upscaled to achieve transformational changes in the restoration of degraded terrestrial ecosystems. 

Session Objectives: 

• To demonstrate how private sector commitments can be used to leverage complementary funding from GEF 
• To demonstrate cost efficiency of community implemented Nature Based Solutions to overcome water scarcity and how the GEF funded UNIDO-IISD project “Using systemic approaches and simulation to scale Nature Based Infrastructure for climate adaptation“can be used in this context to inform decision makers  
• To demonstrate how a good partnership with the GEF OFP can allow the use funds from non-IW-GEF IW focal areas for the national implementation of regionally agreed priorities 

Expected outcomes: 

• Increased use of GEF non IW focal area funds for the implementation of projects retained in SAPs or for the national implementation of regionally agreed priorities  
• Increased uptake of NBS in public private partnerships for water stewardship to overcome water scarcity 
• Better knowledge about the financial and economic efficiency of NBS to mitigate water scarcity 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Input on how private sector engagement can be leveraged and scaled up  
• Contribute to position NBS as a financially and economically efficient solution to overcome water related problems (freshwater and marine) in transboundary contexts 

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18:30-20:30  

Welcome Reception – hosted by Ministry of Environment, Uruguay 

Location:  Escuela Superior de Alta Gastronomía - 
Address: Rambla Claudio Williman esq. Av. Naciones Unidas s/nº (Parada 12, Mansa Punta del Este)

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Day Two

Technical Site visits|
Tuesday 24 September 2024

07:00 – 18:00  Technical Site Visits: From Source to Sea 

Highlighting a range of water management challenges faced by Uruguay, and practical approaches to combat these challenges. 

ITINERARY 1 - Montevideo: Technical solutions, nature and culture (Sponsored by IDB) The Montevideo itinerary, sponsored by the IDB, offered a mix of cultural, technical, and natural experiences, including exploring the historic Ciudad Vieja, visiting a modern wastewater treatment facility, and discovering the biodiversity of the Santa Lucía Wetlands. The day ended with a sunset cocktail at Casapueblo

ITINERARY 2 - Garzón Lagoon and Rocha Lagoon The itinerary included visits to Garzón Lagoon, a protected sanctuary with diverse ecosystems and scenic views, and Rocha Lagoon, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with over 220 bird species and unique dunes. It was the whale's season! The day ended with a sunset cocktail at Casapueblo.

ITINERARY 3 - Black Lagoon / Santa Teresa Fort / Punta del Diablo Village. The itinerary highlighted Uruguay’s natural and historical treasures. It started with Laguna Negra to learn about sustainable water management, followed by a visit to the 18th-century Santa Teresa Fort to explore its history and architecture. The final stop was Punta del Diablo, a charming fishing village known for its coastal beauty, concluding with a sunset cocktail at Casapueblo

IW:LEARN | Events -> IW-Conferences -> IWC10 -> Technical site visits (iwlearn.net)IW:LEARN | Events -> IW-Conferences -> IWC10 -> Technical site visits (iwlearn.net)

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Day Three

Bridging Then and Now: Impactful solutions, tools and innovative approaches 
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Enjoy Hotel, Punta de Este

09:00-10:30 - Plenary

Location: Room Punta del Este 1
Master of Ceremony: Claudette Briere Spiteri, IW:LEARN Project Manager, IOC/UNESCO    

Plenary - Bridging Then and Now

1. Towards more integrated solutions – Talk Show

• Application of integrated approaches (CWM, Nexus, MSP, S2S etc.), Susanne Schmeier, GEF STAP
• Breathing underwater: why we should all care about marine hypoxia (CHO IP), Lorenzo Galbiati, FAO
• Circular solutions to plastic pollution (Plastics IP), Isabelle Vanderbeck, UNEP
• Blue Green Islands (BGI IP), Adnan Awad, UNDP

2. Policy coherence and challenges – Panel Discussion

• Integrated approaches and the Water Convention, Sonja Koeppel, UNECE
• Towards the establishment of an International Nitrogen Management System (INMS), Mark Sutton, UK CEH
• Ocean Science solutions for policy integration, in the framework of the Ocean Decade, Julian Barbiere, UNESCO-IOC
• Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), Andrew Hume, GEF Sec

Pitches: Workshops

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10:30-11:00  - Break: Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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11:00-12:30 Workshops - Innovative tools and solutions  

Session Title: Sustainable
fisheries for sustainable livelihoods: approaches and tools (EAF & FPAT)
Session Code: WS-D3-01 
Location: Rio A 

Lead organization:  FAO- Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Programme FAO 
Session lead:  FAO  
Co-lead: CFI Indonesia / WWF  

Contributors/Speakers: 

• Fatou Sock (FAO-HQ), Fishery Officer and CFI Programme Manager.  

• Nicolas Gutierrez (FAO-HQ), Senior Fishery Officer.  

• Virna Cedeño (Concepto Azul, Ecuador), Concepto Azul ‘CEO, and Fishery Expert;  

• Dr. Yayan Hernuryadin (CFI Indonesia), CFI Indonesia Technical Coordinator. 

Agenda: 

The session will last 90 minutes and include four sub-sections (Ss), a working group sub-session and a plenary sub-session, as follows:  

Presentations (25 minutes):  

Ss 1: Roles and responsibilities in co-management: institutional structures and empowerment (5-minute presentation)  

Ss 2: Establishing enabling conditions for fisheries and mangrove co-management (5-minute presentation)   

Ss 3: Creating positive incentives for sustainable fishing and safeguarding of mangroves (5-minute presentation)  

3 Working group / one for each of the subsections (30 minutes) where participants will share their experiences on each theme (Structures, Enabling conditions and Incentives) within their geographies or projects.  

Ss 4: The Fisheries Performance Assessment Toolkit (FPAT): A new toolkit for stakeholder driven science-based management of fisheries for sustainable livelihoods in data and capacity limited contexts (10-minute presentation).  

Q&A on the Ss 4 (15 minutes)  

Plenary sub-session to share the working groups results: 5 minutes for each rapporteur (15 minutes)  

Wrap-up of the session: 5 minutes 

Rapporteur: Fatou Sock, CFI Coordinador-FAO    

Description of the session: 

In pursuit of its overarching goal to demonstrate that holistic, ecosystem-based management and improved governance, including enhanced value chains, can help achieve sustainable and profitable small-scale fisheries within healthy ecosystems, the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) implemented co-management approaches that empowered local communities to act as stewards of their own resources. This not only fostered a sense of ownership among fishing communities but also facilitated the sustainable use of marine ecosystems, ensuring both thriving livelihoods and effective conservation efforts in its pilot sites.  

Recognizing the need to address the three pillars of sustainable development—environmental, social, and economic—the CFI promoted the implementation co-management of fisheries and mangroves as a pathway to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in its six beneficiary countries: Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, and Senegal. Fishing communities, alongside national and local authorities, were supported in developing and implementing EAF-based fisheries management plans that included strong co-management arrangements.   

During this session, the CFI learnings, which have been grouped in three interrelated themes: roles and responsibilities in co-management – institutional structures and empowerment; establishing enabling conditions for co-management; and creating positive incentives for sustainable fishing, will be shared and discuss with the attendees, who will also share their experience and lessons learnt from their geographies and projects. Therefore, a set of experiences and lessons learned on co-management from various geographies will be made available.  

In addition, the Fisheries Performance Assessment Toolkit (FPAT), which aims to strengthen data-limited fisheries management, will be presented to the audience. This toolkit was developed in collaboration with the University of Washington and Blue Matter Science to address gaps in data and technical understanding, which are often barriers to proactive fisheries management. The FPAT assesses the ecological, social, economic, and governance dimensions of fisheries, offering an adaptable framework that facilitates informed decision-making and promotes transparency and stakeholder participation. By integrating tools like the FPAT into its broader ecosystem-based approach, the CFI enhances its commitment to sustainable fisheries management. The success of these strategies has provided valuable lessons on the importance of community participation, integrated sustainability approaches, and collaborative governance mechanisms, creating a scalable framework for other regions aiming to achieve sustainable fisheries management.  

Session Objectives:  

The main objective of this workshop is to delve into the integral role of co-management in enhancing governance and sustainability within small-scale coastal fisheries. Leveraging the insights from the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI), will showcase how the implementation of community-led co-management strategies, supported by an innovative tool like the Fisheries Performance Assessment Toolkit (FPAT), can effectively lead to sustainable fisheries and mangroves management.   

The workshop will serve as a platform for dialogue, allowing participants to share good practices, case studies, discuss challenges and replicable solutions, and foster collaboration in addressing global fisheries and mangroves management issues.  

Expected outcomes:  

• Participants (policymakers, practitioners, development partners, fisheries managers, fisher and fish worker organizations) will discuss on how co-management models can empower local communities to act as stewards of their resources, leading to sustainable fisheries and mangroves management.  

• Participants will gain insights from how the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) has been successfully implemented across six countries (Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, and Senegal), promoting sustainable livelihoods while conserving marine ecosystems.  

• Through case studies, attendees will discuss and share replicable solutions in fisheries and mangroves management, including the development and implementation of EAF based-management plans.  

• Attendees will share lessons on community engagement, collaborative governance, and integrating multi-dimensional sustainability pillars in fisheries and mangroves management, which can be replicated in other regions and contexts.  

• Participants will also explore the functionality and benefits of the FPAT, learning how this tool assists in gathering critical data for fisheries management, enabling informed decision-making to enhance the sustainability and resilience of fisheries systems globally.  

• A set of experiences and lessons learned on co-management from various geographies will be made available.  

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Session Title: Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning: Towards large marine ecosystems of partnerships
Session Code: WS-D3-02
Location: Rio B

Lead organization:  UNESCO-IOC 
Session lead:  Michele Quesada da Silva (UNESCO-IOC, MSPglobal)
Co-lead: Claudette Spiteri (UNESCO-IOC, GEF IW:LEARN 5) 

Contributors/Speakers by project - TBC:

• WACA:  
• Mr. Abdoulaye Diagana, Abidjan Convention Secretariat  or
• Ms. Manon Cassara, World Bank   
• Using Marine Spatial Planning in the Gulf of Guinea for the implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services and Coastal Nature-based Solutions:
• Mr. Kossi Ahoedo, FCWC   or  
• Mr. Renaud Bailleux, IUCN
• SAPPHIRE:  
• Mr. Tim Andrew, Nairobi Convention Secretariat 
• PROCARIBE+:  
• Mr. Patrick Debels, UNOPS  or
• Ms. Sonia Gautreau, UNOPS  
• CLME+:  
• Ms. Allena Joseph, CRFM Secretariat 
• South China Sea & Gulf of Thailand:  
• Mr. Anders Faaborg Poulsen, UNOPS  or 
• Mr. Vo SI Tuan, UNOPS
• Government representatives   
• Gulf of Guinea
• Caribbean

Format: Workshop

Moderator: Michele Quesada da Silva, UNESCO-IOC, MSPglobal

Rapporteur (name, affiliation):  UNESCO-IOC, GEF IW:LEARN 5 (recording if possible) 

Description of session:

The workshop “Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning: Towards large marine ecosystems of partnerships” aims to showcase and promote regional synergies between GEF IW projects and beyond dealing with Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), such as IOC’s MSPglobal programme. 

During the first part of the session (30-45 min), speakers of the panel will present cases of regional collaboration focusing on their key enabling mechanisms and challenges.  

On the other hand, during the second part (45-60 min), all participants will be invited to share their recommendations to GEF Secretariat and GEF IW Projects about potential solutions and innovative approaches to different topics related to partnerships on MSP (e.g., mechanisms, resources, themes, data aspects and joint assessments such as TDA/SAP, etc.) through a structured interactive discussion with an online tool.  

Session Objectives:

• Discuss, promote and facilitate collaborations between regional GEF IW projects on Marine Spatial Planning in order to connect the activities of the different projects in a way that optimizes human and financial resources, delivers more robust outputs, and improves sustainability of projects’ outcomes.  

Expected outcomes:

• Strengthened and enlarged ongoing collaborations 
• New collaborations 
• Recommendations on MSP-related partnerships for GEF IW projects 

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

• The recommendations of the workshop will be shared with GEF Secretariat for their consideration when shaping GEF-9 

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Session Title: Accelerating transboundary water cooperation: How are GEF projects contributing to SDGs?
Session Code: WS-D3-03
Location: Rio C

Lead organization: UNESCO-IHP; UNECE; UNESCO-IOC 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• José Luis Martin Bordes (UNESCO-IHP) 
• Rita Marteleira (UNESCO-IHP)
• Sonja Koeppel (UNECE)
• Julian Barbiere (IOC-UNESCO )
• Hartwig Kremers (UNEP)
• Susanne Schmeier (IHE Delft, GEF/STAP)
• Sergio Cerdeira Estrada (Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity - CONABIO)

Format: Workshop

Agenda :  

• Introduction and Welcome (10 minutes) 

• Moderator: Rita Marteleira (UNESCO-IHP)  

• Opening remarks: Susanne Schmeier (IHE Delft, GEF/STAP)

• Case study on transboundary water cooperation (SDG 6.5.2) - Interlinkages between SDG 6.5.2 and GEF projects: example of Buna Bojana transboundary aquifer shared by Albania and Montenegro (GEF/UNEP MedProgramme) 

• Joint presentation by Sonja Koeppel (UNECE), on SDG 6.5.2 and its operationality criteria, and José Luis Martin Bordes (UNESCO-IHP), on MedProgramme and Buna Bojana aquifer.   

• Case study on life below water (SDG 14) - Interlinkages between SDG 14.1.1a (nutrients/chlorophyll) and 14.3 (ocean acidification) and GEF Projects: Implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem Strategic Action Program (GoM-LME) and its output on implementation of early warning systems for environmental monitoring  

• Sergio Cerdeira Estrada, Team leader – Mexico, Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) 

• Panel Discussion: Enhancing Synergies Between SDGs and GEF Projects

  Moderator: Sonja Koeppel (UNECE)

  Panelists:

• Dragan Radojevic (Geological Survey of Montenegro. National Project Coordinator DIKTAS II)
• Gilbert Mawere, Director Water Resources, Zimbabwe (TBC)
• Louise Whiting (FAO RAP)
• Julian Barbière (UNESCO-IOC)
• Hartwig Kremer (UNEP)
• Dimitris Faloutsos (GWP) (TBC)

Part 1: How SDG 6.5.2, SDG 14 and other indicators work, recent monitoring results, challenges and gaps to be bridged by GEF projects (15 minutes)

• Discussion on the methodologies, good practices, lessons learnt, and processes involved in monitoring of SDG 6.5.2 and SDG 14
• Examination of challenges in data collection, harmonization, cooperation, establishing new arrangements and reporting at transboundary level.

Part 2: How GEF projects can further support SDGs: bridging gaps in data and enhance transboundary water cooperation (20 minutes)

• bridging gaps in data when data is missing to calculate the SDGs (i.e transboundary aquifers, ocean water parameters, etc.)
• enhance transboundary water cooperation and supporting countries when SDGs data show that countries are not on track to achieve SDGs by 2030
• improved water quality in transboundary basins
• Sharing successful examples and best practices from national and transboundary levels in science-based cooperation
• Discussing the use of SDGs global database as a platform for promoting and sustaining the outcomes of GEF projects.

Q&A with panelists and audience (15 min)

Conclusions (5 minutes)

Julian Barbière (UNESCO-IOC)

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Session Title: Mobilizing global and regional action on nitrogen and nutrient pollution for a healthy planet 
Session Code: WS-D3-04
Location: Punta del Este 1

Lead organization: UKCEH/UNEP 
Session lead: Prof. Mark Sutton, UKCEH 
Co-lead:  Ms. Gabrielle de Souza, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Government of the Republic Trinidad & Tobago   

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Jean Ometto, INPE, Brazil 
• Arthur Beusen, PBL, The Netherlands
• Claudia Caporusso, UKCEH
• Dave Hooper, Western Washington University, USA
• Tapan Adhya, KIIT, India 
• Cargele Masso, IITA, CGIAR, Cameroon 
• Zameela Ahmed, Maldives National University, Maldives 
• Kentaro Hayashi, CHIKYU, Japan 
• Will Brownlie, UKCEH
• Mihai Constantinescu, Government of Romania; Co-chair, UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen
• Ramesh Ramachandran, NCSCM, India; Chair, Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) 

• Isabelle van der Beck, UNEP

Format: Workshop / IW Talk Show 

Agenda (brief):

1. Overview
   • From Vision to Action: Building a process of scientific support for international nitrogen policymaking and planning
   • Quizzing and clarification
2. Emerging messages from the International Nitrogen Assessment process
   • Nitrogen and the UN SDGs
   • Key messages from future scenarios of nitrogen pollution in water
   • How can the world ‘halve nitrogen waste’ by 2030 and beyond?
   • Quizzing and clarification 
   • How do nitrogen threats compare across world regions?
   • Nitrogen threats and possible solutions in South Asia
   • Lake Victoria basin: food, water and nitrogen pollution in Africa
   • SIDS case study. Stakeholder concerns in managing nitrogen in the Maldives
   • Quizzing and clarification 
3. Mobilizing change: Tools, Policies and Practice
   • Messages for future policies for the International Nitrogen Assessment
   • Launch of the ‘INMS Guidance Document on Measures for Sustainable Nitrogen Management’
   • How can we use the outcomes to help establish ‘National Nitrogen Action Plans’?
   • Mobilizing action on nutrients across academia, business & civil society
   • Quizzing and clarification
   • Session Summary and Future Challenges

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Mark Sutton or Gabrielle de Souza (tbc) 

Description of session:

The session shares emerging thinking, new findings and mobilization in catalyzing action to reduce nitrogen and wider nutrient pollution. The overarching philosophy is that the actions needed to protect international waters from nitrogen pollution offer multiple co-benefits for environment, health and economy, so that counting these co-benefits can help overcome the barriers-to-change. The ‘IW Talk Show’ approach is framed around short interactive presentations, with opportunity to quiz experts.   

Session Objectives:

• to share evidence and solutions from recent global and regional analysis and engagement on nitrogen pollution, setting in this in the context of interactions with other nutrients. 
• To interact with participants hearing their views and concerns, providing guidance from internationally leading experts, who are also in ‘listening mode’, gathering feedback to inform emerging directions for GEF9 
• To report on emerging messages of the first ever International Nitrogen Assessment, including understanding of threats and emerging solutions. 
• To share experiences about regional perspectives, including from the South Asian Nitrogen Hub. 
• To LAUNCH a new product: The ‘INMS Guidance Document on Nitrogen Measures’ and the accompanying Database.  
• To introduce and stimulate discussion about NitroFinance as an emerging approach to accelerate action. 
• To update about developments through an emerging intergovernmental process, following up UN Environment Assembly Resolutions 4/14 and 5/2, including the development of National Action Plans. 

Expected outcomes:

Participants  

• INFORMED with better technical understanding of the key issues of nitrogen and wider nutrient pollution (as a basis to inform their own work). 
• AWARE of the forthcoming International Nitrogen Assessment and how it can help them. 
• HAVE ACCESS to the newly launched INMS Guidance Document & Database 
• MOBILIZED for action, including engagement in developing National Action Plans, Intergovernmental Action through the UNEP Working Group on Nitrogen, Multi-stakeholder action through the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management 

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

• RECEIVE stakeholder guidance on emerging challenges related to nutrients, including between nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients. 
• DEMONSTRATION of the value of linking nitrogen and nutrient management for international waters with co-benefits for climate, air quality, biodiversity, food security, health and economy.  
• SYNTHESIS to advise GEF9 on emerging priorities, including further development of the NitroFinance approach and accelerate action through future project interventions. 

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Session Title: Strengthening the Nexus Approach to address the climate change effects on shared water resources and ecosystems
Session Code: WS-D3-05
Location: Punta del Este 2

Lead organization: Inter-American Development Bank
Session lead: Raúl Muñoz Castillo

More information to be available shortly

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12:30-14:00  Lunch: Room Montecarlo
Innovation Marketplace: Foyer

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14:00-15:30 - IW Clinics on Tools and Solutions I 

Session Title: How to strengthen Marine Conservation Through the Blue Economy, Tourism and Nature-based Sports
Session Code: IWC-D3-01
Location: TBC

Lead organization: Conservation International 
Session lead: Christian Lavoie
Co-lead:  Scott Atkinson 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Christian Lavoie, Conservation International – Americas Field Division (Intro and moderation) 
• Scott Atkinson, Conservation International – Surf Conservation Program (Speaker)  
• Mara Arroyo, Save The Waves Coalition (Speaker) 
• Tatiana Villalobos, Conservation International Costa Rica (Speaker) 
• Other speakers tbd 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Christian Lavoie, Conservation International – Americas Field Division  

Description of session:

As the global community strives to expand equitable marine management, it is critical to explore and pursue new avenues and allies. In recent years, the GEF has emphasized the blue economy role in conservation. This includes strengthening long-standing approaches such as community-based tourism and sustainable fisheries. Additionally, there is massive but largely untapped potential for nature-based sports and associated tourism to support expansion and sustainability in marine conservation. For example, surfing is a 60 B USD global industry with over 35 million participants, and the GEF recently launched its first surf ecosystem project. This workshop will explore successes, challenges, opportunities, and pathways to strengthen the role of the Blue Economy, tourism and nature-based sports in scaling and sustaining marine management. 

Session Objectives: 

The Blue economy, tourism and nature-based sports, including surfing, have massive and largely untapped potential to fuel marine conservation expansion and sustainability.  

Sessions Objectives include:  

1. Sharing and learn about successes, challenges, opportunities and pathways to make the most of the conservation mechanisms of Blue Economy, Tourism and Nature-based Sports. 
2. Establishing new relationships with organizations and individuals that are pursuing innovations in conservation through the Blue Economy, Tourism and Nature-based Sports (with a focus on surfing but other sports as possible) and linked aspects of the blue economy.  
3. Exploration of potential for new approaches and initiatives to help overcome challenges and expand the role of nature-based sports and the blue economy in expanding biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.  

Expected outcomes: 

1. Strengthened understanding among the GEF IW community of successes, challenges, opportunities and pathways to make the most of the conservation mechanisms of Blue Economy, Tourism and Nature-based Sports. 
2. New relationships with potential for collaboration between organizations and individuals that are pursuing innovations in these areas.  
3. A foundation for potential development of new approaches and initiatives to help overcome challenges and expand the role of nature-based sports, tourism and the blue economy in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.  

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

As the GEF community works to expand the scale and scope of marine and coastal management globally, it will benefit from learning and providing input on efforts to innovative efforts to expand blue economy benefits and conservation by managing surf ecosystems. 

The hope is that some opportunities for new approaches or initiatives that could contribute to global conservation under GEF-9 will be identified, including informing how to address challenges holistically through the GEF Integrated Programs, specifically, the Clean and Healthy Ocean program. 

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Session Title: How to develop sustainable legal and institutional arrangements for transboundary water cooperation? Lessons from BUPUSA Watercourse Commission (Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and the Practical Guide on agreements under the Water Convention
Session Code: IWC-D3-02
Location: TBC

Lead organization: UN Water Convention Secretariat (UNECE)
Session lead: UNECE
Co-lead:  BUPUSACOM/GWPSA

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Lucia de Strasser (UNECE) 
• Elisha Madamombe (BUPUSACOM/GWPSA)  

Responding Member States 

• Ana Isabel Fotine Mponda (Mozambique) 
• Gilbert Mawere (Zimbabwe) 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Dr Loreen Katiyo (GWPSA)

Description of session:

Sustainable legal and institutional arrangements for transboundary cooperation are crucial for sustaining IW project results and attaining the SDGs (target 6.5). This session will present how the Practical guide for the development of agreements or other arrangements for transboundary water cooperation, developed under the UN Water Convention, can support countries and RBOs in establishing, improving and strengthening legal agreements, enhancing transboundary water cooperation and management. Complementarities and synergies between support provided under the Water Convention and GEF IW will be explored, drawing from the lessons learned from the GEF6 BUPUSA project, which facilitated the negotiations that led to the establishment of the BUPUSA Watercourses Commission. Attaining this milestone required investment in key enabling levers that include a combination of the following: readiness, flexibility, tolerance, respect, and cooperation of the Member States; convening power of the IUCN (Implementing Agency) and GWPSA (Executing Agency) as trusted advisors; decision support by project steering and technical committees; and an efficient Project Management Unit. Extensive stakeholder consultations played a key role in creating the necessary buy-in.  

Session Objectives: 

1. Introducing the audience to the Practical guide for the development of agreements or other arrangements for transboundary water cooperation developed under the Water Convention. 
2. Sharing the concrete experience from GEF6 BUPUSA project which facilitated the negotiations that led to the establishment of the BUPUSA Watercourses Commission 
3. Reflecting on experience from and opportunities for other GEF projects, through a facilitated discussion. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Improved understanding of the main elements of the process of developing agreements or other arrangements for transboundary cooperation, based on the principles of international water law and concrete experience. 
• Best practices in Project Management approaches for facilitating transparent negotiation processes for transboundary agreements under a GEF International Waters Project.  

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Capacity building among GEF IW project managers on strengthening cooperation through legal and institutional arrangements.  

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Session Title: How to foster innovative instruments for Water Security in Transboundary Water Systems
Session Code: IWC-D3-03
Location: TBC

Lead organization: CAF
Session lead: CAF
Co-lead:  IUCN

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Carlos Ortuño, CIC-Plata 
• Armel Mewouth, IUCN 
• Franz Rojas, CAF 
• Alberto Manganelli, CEREGAS 
• TBC, Ministry of Environment of Mauritania  

Agenda:

Clinic 1 (40´)

(20´) Presentations: 

• Carlos Ortuño, CIC-Plata 
• Armel Mewouth, IUCN 
• Franz Rojas, CAF 

(20´) Q&A  

Clinic 2 (40´)

(20´) Presentations: 

• Alberto Manganelli, CEREGAS 
• TBC, Ministry of Environment of Mauritania  

(20´) Q&A 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Bechir N'DIATH, IUCN 

Description of session:

The session will discuss the challenges and opportunities to foster innovative instruments for water security in transboundary waters: constraints and opportunities of Latin America and the Caribbean & West Africa, particularly, on innovative instruments for the sustainable management of transboundary resources. 

In this context, this session will provide a space to i) share experiences and lessons learned in transboundary waters, discuss the needs and opportunities in terms of governance and financing for transboundary water management and the role of transboundary cooperation as an investment facilitator; ii) propose recommendations for new ways forward.  

Session Objectives: 

• To know and learn about ongoing projects related to International Waters. 
• To share constraints and opportunities as contributions to sound water security in transboundary basins. 
• To share examples and recommendations of how can contribute to sound water security in transboundary basin. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Input to IW:LEARN experience note on lessons learned from GEF projects. 
• Recommendations from stakeholders. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• To contribute with experiences and lessons learned from GEF projects and gives recommendations for new project to be implemented.  

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Session Title: How to navigate Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater
Session Code: IWC-D3-04
Location: TBC

Lead organization: UNESCO, UNDP 
Session lead: Jose Luis Martin, Sebastián Izquierdo 
Co-lead:  Rita Marteleira 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Sebastián Izquierdo – UNDP 
• Gina Gallo – Minambiente, Colombia 
• Jose Luis Martin – UNESCO 
• Rita Marteleira - UNESCO 
• Ricardo Burg - UNESCO 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Rita Marteleira, UNESCO 

Description of session:

Conjunctive management of water resources in developing countries lacks robust public policies, often addressed based on local needs (water supply or agroindustry). Capacity building remains essential, given the high cost of water resource studies and the need to enhance technical, political, and diplomatic competencies at all governance levels. This is particularly relevant in coastal areas, where many human activities interfere with natural active processes at the land-sea interface, and where surface and groundwater resources tend to lose their distinctive characters in the transition to the marine environment, hence requiring conjunctive management approaches. 

The IW Clinic Session aims at promoting participatory processes to involve stakeholders in national or transnational dialogues to discuss potential solutions for Conjunctive Management of Surface and Groundwater. The session will build on the preliminary results of three on-going GEF projects within the IW portfolio: i) results from 5 national dialogues held in Albania, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro and Morocco organized by UNESCO in the framework of the UNEP/GEF MedProgramme; ii) results from the Zarumilla and Tulcán-Ipiales Aquifers project led by GEF/UNDP, a cornerstone of transboundary water management between Ecuador and Perú; and Ecuador and Colombia where a comparative analysis of both cases can develop conclusions and recommendations on the main challenges of aquifer management in Latin America; and iii) the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) project led by UNESCO with a presentation of the conclusions and results coming from the cooperative work developed with and by the 4 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.  

Session Objectives: 

• Identify with experts the technical, financial and capacity-building opportunities for conjunctive water management in transboundary aquifers in countries with management weaknesses. 
• Promote approaches to stakeholder engagement on conjunctive water management among representatives of other projects within the GEF IW portfolio for potential adaptation and replication. 
• Discuss conjunctive water management approaches as innovative intersectoral management tools.  

Expected outcomes: 

• Participants will receive expert advice on how to improve conjunctive water management in their countries or regions. 
• Awareness raising among GEF IW practitioners on the importance of stakeholders’ involvement in conjunctive water management and in the identification of potential solutions. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• The session will produce some recommendations on strategic issues on conjunctive water management that will guide GEF’s support to interventions in shared basins where water stress creates a challenge, but also can be a driver and opportunity for cooperation.  

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Session Title: How to leverage NBS to enhance synergies and scalability for Transboundary Water Resilience
Session Code: IWC-D3-05
Location: TBC

Lead organization: UNDP, UNIDO 
Session lead: 
Co-lead:  TNC, Pacific Institute 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Christian Susan – SPM UNIDO (Industrial Development Officer) 
• Giuliana Moreira, Research Associate, Pacific Institute 
• Ahmed Elseoud, Management Mentor, UNDP Sr. Mentor Specialist for Water and Oceans   

Moderator: Dr. Mary M. Matthews, UNDP STA ai Water

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): TBC – TNC/Pacific Institute  

Description of session:

Nature-based solutions (NBS) utilize the power of healthy ecosystems to address a wide range of challenges, offering sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional grey infrastructure. In transboundary contexts, NBS can foster collaboration, enhance resilience, and deliver multiple benefits for people and nature. 

This IW Clinic, co-organized by UNDP, UNIDO, The Nature Conservancy, and the Pacific Institute, delves into the meaningful implementation of NBS in GEF IW projects across diverse basins and across freshwater and marine systems. Co-organizers will share their experiences, highlighting what worked and lessons learned, and introduce approaches and tools to identify and measure the benefits and financial and economic cost- efficiency and return on investments of NBS approaches. Furthermore, the possibilities to be supported under the GEF CC funded UNIDO-IISD project “Using systemic approaches and simulation to scale Nature Based Infrastructure for climate adaptation“ will be shared. This will be followed by a facilitated discussion to tackle challenges experienced by the participants and identify potential solutions and explore strategies for replicating and scaling NBS approaches in various geographic and institutional settings. 

Session Objectives: 

• Inform stakeholders from government, NGOs/CSOs, practitioners/implementers and the private sector on the  multiple benefits that can accrue, and the financial and economic returns of NBS and empower them to employ NBS in their projects and programs. 
• Encourage uptake in new projects to support successful replication and scaling. 
• Share existing tools, guidance and approaches to build the business case for NBS. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Set of recommendations to promote NBS in Transboundary Waters, built on lessons learned.  
• Formation of an informal Community of Practice for NBS implementation in GEF IW Projects (facilitated by GEF IW:LEARN).   

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

Recommendations to building financial and economical resilience to freshwater- and marine-specific climate impacts, including floods, droughts, water scarcity, SLR, saltwater inundation/intrusion, eutrophication and hypoxia, and erosion through NBS supported through the GEF IW portfolio. Enhanced uptake of NBS in SAPs and establishment of a link to the economic valuation of wet eco-systems promote by GEF IW:LEARN.  

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Session Title: How to conserve resilient coral reefs through national to global (inclusive) approaches
Session Code: IWC-D3-06
Location: TBC

Lead organization: University of Queensland |
Session lead: Dr. Joelle Albert (UQ) 
Co-lead:  Jacquelyn Beattie (WWF GEF Agency) 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Neelam Bhan (WCS, Fiji) 
• Paul Van Nimwegen (WCS, Fiji) 
• Joslin Lal (Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) 
• Derta Prabuning (Reef Check, Indonesia) 
• Prabowo (Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries)  

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Jacquelyn Beattie (WWF GEF Agency) 

Description of session:

This IW Clinic will explore the challenge of conserving some of the world’s most significant coral reefs and associated seascapes.  The clinic will introduce the concept of ‘National Hubs’ which serve as multi-stakeholder platforms for advancing and integrating inclusive governance and planning for coral reef conservation. Through examples from Fiji and Indonesia, the clinic will highlight country experiences in the establishment of collaborative enabling environments for sustainable and collective outcomes.  The clinic will also showcase an innovative tool implemented to promote sharing of experiences and achievements between project countries.  

The initial presentation (15-20 mins) will: 

Set the scene (5 min): 

•  overview of the world’s most significant climate refuge coral reefs 
• outline opportunities for sharing experiences and achievements across countries through an innovative online tool 
• introduce the overarching concept of national hubs as inclusive, multi-stakeholder platforms for governance and planning coral reef conservation and management 

Fiji and Indonesia national hubs (10 – 15 min) 

• Fiji / Indonesia approach to the National Hub for Coral Reef Conservation 
• Community perspectives, on coral reefs, their experiences and their vision for the conservation of coral reefs 
• Partnerships with organizations working on coral conservation and management and how the hub will provide long-term support for the implementation of future projects. 
• Government perspectives on existing policies/regulations, highlight work undertaken by the Ministry and support provided to communities 
• The role of technical working groups in linkages between government, and community initiatives and enabling countries to be more responsive to climate change threats 

Audience participation (20 min): 

• Facilitated discussion with participation from the audience 
• Comments and insights into the national hubs   

Session Objectives: 

• Showcase to participants that planning and governance approaches are more productive if they are inclusive and include a variety of stakeholders e.g. Academia, IPLCs, Women and Youth, Ministry representatives, CSOs, community members 
• Present the connection between local communities’ perspectives, their experiences on the change/threats and their vision for the conservation of coral reefs. 
• Highlight how the national hub approach can be a vehicle for partnerships and will support the implementation of future projects. 

Expected outcomes: 

The IW community will be: 

• more aware of the benefits and challenges of multi-stakeholder approaches to conservation and management of complex ecosystems  
• recognize the importance of not duplicating efforts, but rather building on existing initiatives to create a sustainable long-term platform for coral reef conservation, not just for a GEF project but for ongoing initiatives on coral reef conservation.    
• national technical working groups enable countries to be more responsive to climate threats, with the ability to provide adaptation responses to communities 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Developing from national strategies clear strategic action plans that focus on necessary policy reforms and financial incentives to mobilize public and private investments towards sustainable business and long-term sustainable livelihood investments. 
• Need a GEF9 specific focus on regional cooperation for addressing coral reef resilience to climate change and support to communities dependent on reefs with major incentives  
• A need for IWLEARN to track IW-focused working groups/ national hubs (that focus on reefs, fisheries, freshwater systems in country for example) and publish these during project implementation to increase the ability for synergies across GEF projects and the feasibility of working group existence after implementation.

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Session Title: How to apply environmental DNA monitoring at scale in freshwater and marine systems
Session Code: IWC-D3-07
Location: TBC

Lead organization: IUCN
Session lead: James DaltonSession co-lead : Benjamin Barca, Vere Ross-Gillespie (NatureMetrics)

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Viviane Kinyaga/Michael Ramaano – ORASECOM
• Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov  - ICPDR

Summary of the session:

The session will explore the challenges and opportunities of applying environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring at scale in freshwater and marine systems. Starting woth a short introduction (5min) it will then go on to highlight practical experiences and lessons learned with keynote speakers from IUCN, ORASECOM, ICPDR and NatureMetrics (20 min), followed by an interactive session with participants to explore integration of these methodologies into their projects and best practices for early project development (20 min).

Session Objectives:

i) Share experiences and case studies on the application of eDNA monitoring in diverse ecosystems, discuss the technical, governance, and financial challenges associated with scaling up eDNA monitoring, and highlight the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in overcoming these challenges;

ii) Engage participants in an interactive discussion to identify needs, opportunities, and recommendations for advancing eDNA monitoring as a tool for biodiversity monitoring and for tracking key impacts and indicators at the programmatic level. Develop a joint final statement of intent.

Expected Outcomes:

• Enhanced Awareness: Participants will understand the benefits of inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches to scaling eDNA monitoring.
• Strategic Partnerships: Participants will identify opportunities for partnerships that support eDNA applications across different regions and ecosystems.
• Increased Collaboration: Foster cross-country and regional collaborations to standardize eDNA protocols and share data for more robust biodiversity monitoring efforts.

Specific Inputs to GEF-9

• Build expertise to inform policy reforms that integrate eDNA monitoring into national biodiversity strategies and action plans. This could include guidelines for incorporating eDNA data into existing environmental monitoring frameworks, regulatory support, and capacity-building initiatives to standardize eDNA use across different countries.
• Addressing resilience within GEF-9 projects, eDNA can serve as an early warning system for detecting shifts in species distributions, invasive species, or biodiversity loss, enabling more responsive adaptation strategies and linking to wider GBF objectives.
• Address opportunities for nature financing across projects by developing appropriate baselining and long term monitoring exercises and tracking impact, maintenance and uplift of biodiversity.

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Session Title: How to unleash the power of knowledge
Session Code: IWC-D3-08
Location: TBC

Lead organization: UNESCO-IOC
Session lead: Konstantina Toli
Co-lead: Qingqing Wang, FAO

More information to be available shorlty

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15:30-16:00  - Break: Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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16:00-17:30  - IW Clinics on Tools and Solutions II 

Session Title: How participatory, multi-stakeholder processes can contribute to effective Regional Ocean Governance in LMEs
Session Code: IWC-D3-09
Location: TBC

Lead organization: Nairobi Convention, UNEP 
Session lead: Tim Andrew  
Co-lead:  Sibongile Mavimbela 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Tim Andrew (Nairobi Convention Secretariat) 
• Dominic Stucker (Collective Leadership Institute) 
• Sibongile Mavimbela (Southern African Development Community)  
• Yamkela Mngxe (Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment, South Africa) 

Agenda:

• Welcome and context  
• Presentation on process to co-develop content and institutional mechanisms for regional ocean governance that are collectively owned, viable, and sustainable
• Oral input on link between regional, continental and global ocean governance processes
• Oral input on experiences from a participating government stakeholder
• Questions and interventions from the audience
• Wrap up of possible implications for other regional seas

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): The panelists listed above will also act as rapporteurs 

Description of session:

The session will feature a small panel that has been involved with development of a regional ocean governance strategy for the Western Indian Ocean who will share their experiences of the process. This will set the scene for an interactive discussion with an audience drawn from other regional LME projects and programmes and a broad range of participants who have an interest in addressing issues around improved ocean governance. It is anticipated that sharing information on how this process unfolded in the Western Indian Ocean with support from the GEF-funded SAPPHIRE Project will encourage others to utilize similar stakeholder engagement and dialogue approaches that have been found to be effective in this region. 

Session Objectives: 

• To share an example of co-creating a regional ocean governance strategy with multi-stakeholder involvement 
• To hear perspectives of several stakeholders involved in this process in the Western Indian Ocean 
• To emphasise the importance of linking LME approaches to existing institutional arrangements in order to ensure ownership and sustainability of implementation mechanisms 
• To identify approaches to ocean governance that could be supported and promoted under GEF 9 in regional seas around the world 

Expected outcomes: 

• Participants have learned about the participatory, multi-stakeholder process of co-developing content and platforms for the ROGS for the Western Indian Ocean including perspectives from several stakeholder involved 
• Participants better understand the linkages between global, continental, and regional approaches to ocean governance 
• Participants have discussed possible application of stakeholder engagement and dialogue approaches in other regional seas for ocean governance strategy development, platform design, and implementation 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Presentation to the GEF of a tried and tested process to ensure stakeholder engagement in regional ocean governance approaches that may be included in future project design.  
• This approach provides an affordable but highly effective manner of involving a wide range of stakeholders over an extended period in such processes and could be broadly promoted in a variety of situations where multiple stakeholders need to be engaged in collaborative processes around LME governance. 
• Best practices from previous GEF-supported projects such as SAPPHIRE are important for consideration in subsequent funding cycles. 
• This example of how GEF-supported work around LMEs has been effectively linked to existing regional structures and processes (the Nairobi Convention) illustrates how this critical link between project-related activities and regional institutional processes can be achieved. 

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Session Title: How to integrate citizen science in your IW projects
Session Code: IWC-D3-10
Location: TBC

Lead organization: Adventure Scientists
Session lead: Luis Pabon
Co-lead:  Glen Hearns

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): TBD

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): TBD

Description of session:

Participatory-Citizen Science has the potential to improve data collection and knowledge; as well enhance community engagement and ownership of projects.  But how best to unlock this potential? Join our round table discussion to explore PCS in IW 

Using some case studies from Adventure Scientists and IW Projects we will discuss how Citizen Based Science can be used to enhance the delivery of IW projects.  We will discuss different sources and types of data, methods of data collection; the use of technology, data storage and access; community training needs; as a tool for community engagement and ownership; and project design – including post project monitoring.  We will discuss advantages and limitations to employing Citizen Based Science, and in particular the challenges of incorporating CBS into IW projects.   

Focus will be given to identifying opportunities and needs within the IW framework and support that may be needed from IW-LEARN, or others to enhance the use of PCS in specific projects. 

Session Objectives: 

The primary objective is to advance Participatory-Citizen Science as a means of filling in data gaps, promoting awareness of projects; and ensuring ownership of project outcomes and goals.  The secondary objective is to discuss key obstacles and challenges associated with implementing PCS in IW projects and identify strategic areas where IWLEARN can provide assistance.  

Expected outcomes: 

Four to five strategic areas where IWLEARN can engage and provide support to IW Projects to implement PCS. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

The session will provide the basis of a report & recommendations for IWLEARN to develop tools for enhancing PCS in IW Projects.   

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Session Title: How do Governance and Management Strategies tackle Transboundary Water Pollution in freshwater and marine ecosystems
Session Code: IWC-D3-11
Location: TBC

Lead organization: ORASECOM 
Session lead: ORASECOM 
Co-lead:  IUCN 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• ORASECOM: Viviane Kinyaga, SAP Implementation Project Coordinator, South Africa 
• IUCN / Building River Dialogue and Governance (BRIDGE) – Andes: Laura Piñeiros,Coordinator, Ecuador 
• UNEP /COBSEA: Mahesh PRADHAN, Coordinator, Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), Thailand 
• UNDP: Madeleine Nyiratuza, Regional Technical Advisor for Water, Oceans, Ecosystems and Biodiversity (Africa) 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Michael Ramaano, ORASECOM, Environment and Water Quality Specialist 

Description of session:

This session invites participants to reflect on and engage on diverse experiences and strategies for addressing transboundary water pollution. The 45-minute event will focus on the critical relationship between governance and management tools in tackling cross-border water pollution challenges. Through a combined keynote presentation covering experiences from Africa, Asia and South Ameria, unique insights into regional and sectoral experiences will be shared, including, comprehensive understanding of the complexities and solutions in managing transboundary water pollution. 

The first 20 minutes will feature a combined keynote presentation by three speakers. The presentation will: 

1. Explore the intricate relationship between governance structures and management practices in addressing transboundary water pollution. The speaker(s) will discuss the continuum of governance and management and present strategies for aligning them effectively to ensure sustainable water quality across borders. 

2. Delve into specific strategies and tools applied by the different contributors such as transboundary Joint Basin Surveys, Citizen Science, private sector engagement to address pollution challenges.  The speaker(s) will link the management tools to governance to demonstrate dependencies between approaches.  

3. Share experiences from the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBESA) in addressing transboundary pollution in coastal and marine environments, highlighting marine litter, plastics, and nutrients pollution. The speaker will discuss governance challenges specific to marine transboundary pollution and present strategies employed by COBESA to overcome these challenges. 

Some key questions speakers will answer are: 

   - How can governance frameworks be designed to support effective transboundary water management?  And, in a two-sided road, how does transboundary water management influence governance frameworks? 

   - What are the governance challenges in managing transboundary river or marine pollution?  

   - What management tools have been most effective in influencing governance frameworks? 

How do these tools facilitate cooperation and compliance among member states? 

   - How can international cooperation be strengthened to address governance gaps in transboundary water pollution management? 

    - What lessons can other transboundary water bodies learn from BRIDGE´s, ORASECOM’s and COBESA´s approach to integrating management and governance? 

Following the keynote presentations, the session will transition into a 25-minute interactive segment designed to gather audience insights and encourage reflection on the topics discussed. This segment will include an online poll, allowing participants to share their perspectives on key issues raised during the presentations.  Some proposed questions follow: 

1. Which aspect of transboundary water pollution do you believe requires the most urgent attention? 

   - Governance frameworks 

   - Management tools 

   - International cooperation 

   - Community engagement 

2. How best can transboundary management bodies reach out to the different layers of governance at national level that has an influence on water quality/pollution? 

3. What is the greatest challenge in aligning governance and management practices for transboundary water pollution? 

   - Different regulatory frameworks 

   - Lack of communication between stakeholders 

   - Insufficient funding/resources 

   - Political will and commitment 

4. Some thoughts and opinions about the reflections proposed in this session that could improve forthcoming IW GEF Projects. 

Open ended question. 

This poll will serve as a springboard for a brief discussion, where the results will be analyzed and used to guide the conversation on future strategies and collaborations. 

Session Objectives: 

To emphasize the importance of integrated approaches that consider both governance structures and management tools to effectively combat water pollution across borders. 

- Encourage participants to critically reflect on the relationship between governance frameworks and management practices in addressing transboundary water pollution.  

- Present diverse case studies and highlighting successful strategies and challenges faced in different regions and contexts to tackle transboundary water pollution.  

- Highlight the main obstacles and potential strategies for improving governance and management of transboundary water pollution. 

- Emphasize the importance of international cooperation and the harmonization of policies and practices among countries sharing transboundary water resources. 

- Facilitate an interactive discussion that gathers insights and opinions from a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, environmental managers, and international organizations attending the session. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how governance and management are interconnected in addressing transboundary water pollution and the importance of aligning these elements for effective outcomes. 
• The event will serve as a platform for sharing practical experiences and tools from BRIDGE, ORASECOM and COBESA, offering participants concrete examples that can be adapted or replicated in other regions. 
• The event is expected to inspire new partnerships and collaborations among countries and organizations, fostering a more integrated approach to transboundary water pollution management. 
• The discussions and reflections during the event will lead to a set of actionable recommendations for improving governance and management practices in transboundary water pollution, which can be shared with relevant stakeholders and decision-makers. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

The Clinic will share best practices on strategies, approaches and tools that can be replicated or adopted through GEF 9. It will further analyse weaknesses, challenges, and gaps in efforts to address pollution in transboundary freshwater and marine ecosystems. These experiences will contribute to programming of GEF 9, e.g. through informing upcoming approaches such as “Source to Sea” that links freshwater and marine ecosystems, enhancing engagement and the participation of water users in addressing pollution.  

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Session Title: How to improve communication and outreach using contemporary means and tools
Session Code: IWC-D3-12
Location: TBC

Lead organization: ICPDR
Session lead: Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov
Co-lead: Olivia Rempel, GRID-Ardenal

More information to be available shortly

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Session Title: How can I effectively integrate gender equality and social inclusion and achieve gender equality outcomes in my GEF-IW project(s)
Session Code: IWC-D3-13
Location: TBC

Lead organization: GEF Secretariat
Session lead: Verona Collantes Lebale
Co-lead: UNESCO/WWAP

More information to be available shortly

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Session Title: How to Incorporate High Integrity Blue Forest Solutions into GEF Projects
Session Code: IWC-D3-14
Location: TBC

Lead organization: GRID-Arendal 
Session lead: GRID-Arendal 
Co-lead:  TBD

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Steven Lutz, GRID-Arendal 
• TbD 
• TbD 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Olivia Rempel, GRID-Arendal 

Description of session:

Dive into the evolving world of blue carbon markets in this dynamic IW Clinic session, focusing on how high integrity nature-based solutions (NbS) can be realized though blue carbon and blue forests projects. Drawing from the UNEP Blue Forests Project, this session will highlight key lessons and best practices for designing and implementing blue carbon and blue forests initiatives that are not only effective in sequestering carbon but also ensure long-term ecological and socio-economic benefits. 

The session will begin with a short video and presentation from an expert speaker who will provide an overview of the UNEP Blue Forests Project and its impact on blue carbon markets. The presentation will cover critical aspects such as developing robust methodologies, ensuring transparency, and achieving measurable outcomes. The speaker will also discuss the importance of high integrity NbS in enhancing the credibility and sustainability of blue carbon projects. 

Following the presentation, the format will shift to an interactive discussion. During this time, the presenter will facilitate a conversation among participants, inviting them to share their experiences, challenges, and insights related to implementing NbS within blue carbon projects. This discussion aims to foster a collaborative environment where attendees can learn from each other and develop practical strategies for enhancing their projects. 

Session Objectives: 

1. Understand the principles of high integrity nature-based solutions in the context of blue carbon markets. 
2. Learn from the experiences and outcomes of the UNEP Blue Forests Project. 
3. Explore the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing NbS in blue carbon projects. 
4. Engage with peers to exchange knowledge, strategies, and best practices for successful project outcomes. 

Expected outcomes: 

Participants will gain insights into how to incorporate high integrity NbS into blue carbon projects, ensuring these initiatives are credible, transparent, and sustainable. They will also leave with practical strategies and a network of peers to support the development of successful blue carbon market projects. 

Join us to explore the future of blue carbon markets and learn how to build projects that benefit both the environment and local communities! 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

This IW Clinic session aligns with the GEF-9 strategy by: 

1. Advancing nature-based climate solutions: The workshop focuses on blue carbon projects that enhance natural carbon sinks, directly supporting GEF-9’s goals for climate change mitigation. 
2. Protecting ecosystems and biodiversity: By discussing high integrity nature-based solutions, the session promotes the protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems, aligning with GEF-9’s objectives to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. 
3. Encouraging integrated approaches: The workshop highlights the multifaceted benefits of blue carbon projects, supporting GEF-9’s emphasis on integrated solutions that address climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development together. 
4. Supporting sustainable livelihoods: Participants will learn how blue carbon projects can create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities, in line with GEF-9’s focus on socio-economic benefits. 
5. Ensuring transparency and accountability: The workshop promotes the use of robust monitoring and reporting systems for blue carbon projects, which supports GEF-9’s commitment to transparency and measurable outcomes. 

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Provisional Session Title: Comparative and Value-Added Advantages of Nuclear-Derived Techniques for Water and Ocean Management 
Session Code: IWC-D3-15
Location: TBC

Lead organization: International Atomic Energy Agency 
Session lead: Mish Hamid, Stakeholder Engagement Officer, IAEA 
Co-lead: TBD

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): TBD

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): TBD

Description of session:

This session will cover the various applications of nuclear-derived techniques for both water and ocean management. Nuclear-derived techniques offer innovative and often low-cost approaches to improve monitoring, assessment and prediction capacities. For water management, they offer some of the following key benefits:  

• Accurate Water Source Identification 
• Efficient Monitoring of Water Quality 
• Sustainable Water Resource Management 
• Climate Change Impact Assessment 
• Precision in Irrigation Management 
• Early Warning and Disaster Management 
• Non-Invasive and Non-Destructive Methods 
• Cost-Effective Long-Term Monitoring 

Nuclear-derived techniques also offer several significant advantages in ocean management, playing a crucial role in understanding and preserving marine environments. Key benefits include: 

• Tracing Ocean Currents and Water Masses 
• Monitoring Marine Pollution 
• Assessing Fish Stocks and Marine Resources 
• Understanding Ocean Acidification 
• Reconstructing Past Ocean Conditions 
• Monitoring Marine Ecosystem Health 
• Evaluating Ocean Productivity 
• Supporting Climate Change Studies 
• Non-Invasive and Precise Monitoring 
• Enhanced Understanding of Ocean Mixing Processes 

These advantages make nuclear-derived techniques indispensable for both effective water and ocean management, helping to protect marine resources, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and ensure the sustainability of the world's transboundary ecosystems, from source to sea. Nuclear derived techniques are also available for monitoring and addressing the issue of plastic pollution.  

This clinic session will lay out and demonstrate some applications of nuclear-derived techniques, which have been applied and supported in a number of GEF IW projects in the focal area’s history. The clinic offers an opportunity to learn more about support and partnerships in the context of increasing the utilization of these innovative and often low-cost techniques.  

Session Objectives: 

To build partnerships and raise awareness among IW practitioners about the advantages nuclear-derived techniques offer GEF IW projects and their participating countries for both water and ocean management.  

Expected outcomes: 

Transboundary freshwater and marine projects will leverage GEF and IAEA beneficiary countries to increasingly avail themselves of the advantages nuclear-derived techniques and can applications provide for water and ocean management. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: to be added shortly

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Session Title: How to develop GEF IW projects following STAP guidance on good project design
Session Code: IWC-D3-16
Location: TBC

Lead organization: The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)  
Session lead: Virginia Gorsevski
Co-lead: Susanne Schmeier, STAP 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• Susanne Schmeier, STAP  
• Virginia Gorsevski, STAP 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): TBD

Description of session:

This session will begin with a short presentation on STAP’s screening guidelines and a brief explanation of what STAP looks for when screening GEF projects and how projects are rated by STAP, providing participants with an understanding of what criteria STAP applies in its work and what this means for project proposals/PIFs. The remainder of the session will be interactive by walking through each section of the GEF-9 PIF template with participants, using generic examples from the IW portfolio to illustrate concepts and working with specific examples participants are invited to bring to the session. 

Session Objectives: 

The objective of this session is to support GEF Agencies and practitioners in the design of GEF projects in terms of how the information is developed and articulated through the GEF project information form (PIF). STAP will highlight elements of good project design, and these elements can be clearly expressed using the guidance provided in the GEF-8 PIF template, drawing on STAP guidance documents related to Theory of Change, multi-stakeholder dialogue, future narratives, etc. 

Expected outcomes: 

GEF agency project and program managers will have greater awareness of STAP screening guidelines and how to ensure that required elements in the GEF-8 PIF template follow best practices as highlighted by previous STAP guidance and practical experience. This will allow them to develop better PIFs in a more effective manner. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

Inputs from participants will provide STAP with feedback for developing future guidance on project/program screening in GEF-9, if undertaken. 

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19:30-22:30  - Gala Event – hosted by IW:LEARN 

Location: Narbona Punta del Este 
Address: camino de la vid, 20000 Punta del Este, Uruguay

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Day Four

Transforming the future for a Healthy Planet, Healthy People

Thursday 26 September 2024
Enjoy Hotel, Punta de Este

Plenary – 09:00-10:30
Location: Room Punta del Este 2
Facilitator: Susanne Schmeier (GEF STAP)

Plenary - Transforming the future for a Healthy Planet, Healthy People

1. Navigating the Future: Transforming IW with Innovation and Technology – Talk show

• Transformation and innovation in GEF IW Project design, Susanne Schmeier, GEF STAP
• Transformations supported by technology & AI innovations – what’s at stake for GEF IW? Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep, WB & 3 lightening videos by K.I.D.S Group
• Video by Ocean Innovation Challenge – bridging innovation and inclusivity

2. Fostering inclusivity in IW – Talk Show

• Youth: Eliana Harrigan, One Water; Lucia Samaniego, GWYN; Raymond Schuster, Pacific Community
• Indigenous Peoples: ValdeLice Veron Kaiowa, Guarani
• Gender: Verona Collantes-Lebale, GEF Sec

Pitches: Interactive Sessions & Workshops

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10:30-11:00  - Break: Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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11:00-12:30 - Stream 3: Interactive Sessions/ IW Opportunities and Challenges

Theme D: Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture Management: Integrating Ecosystem Approaches for Resilient Resources and Livelihoods|
Location: Punta del Este 2

Lead organization: FAO
Session lead: Lorenzo Galbiati
Co-lead: Charlotte de Fontaubert, WB

Contributors/speakers (name, affiliation):

• AfBD (Nyasha Lawrence Nyagwambo)
• The University of West Indies (Nerissa Lucky) 
• UNEP (Somboon Siriraksophon) 
• GFCM (Anna Carlson) 
• FAO (Nicolas Gutierrez) 
• SWIOFish3 project (Thessia Labonte)
• GEF SEC Gender team: (Verona Ancheta Collantes Lebale) 
• Forum Fisheries Agency (Lisa Buchanan)

Format: Circular or semi-circular seating

Agenda:

• Introduction – explain the rule of the game 
• Burst of 3 questions - Participants will receive a set of questions to be responded to in 1 minutes
• This will be followed by a quiz format using the “Fishing for Words” approach proposed by University of West Indies 
• Key messages from the Women Guardians of the Ocean Exchange - concrete and gender-transformative recommendations on sustainable fisheries 

Description of session:

This session will draw on a number of fisheries projects, which each emphasized a different specific aspect:

• Integrating climate change resilience of blue foods in transboundary systems (GEF IDs: 4680, 5487, 5674 and 9420)
• Advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management in regional RFMOs (GEF IDs 10560 and 10558)
• Making the best use of fisheries refugia (GEF ID 5401)
• Fishing for Words" will introduce (GEF IDs 10857 and 10919).
• Approach targeted to highly migratory species - Forum Fisheries Agency
• Integration sustainable fisheries with MSP and MPAs through blue bond financing (SWIOFish3)
• How policy priorities in relation to sustainable fisheries management and EAFM can be implemented through projects efficiently (GEF ID 10622)
• Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in fisheries, and related coastal and MPA management

Session Objectives:

• The main objective of this session is to extract a number of best practices, what has shown to work the best in integrating fisheries management and protecting/managing critical marine/coastal ecosystems on which target fish stocks depend
• The session will also extract some practical recommendations on how to build up resilience, both for target stocks and coastal/marine ecosystems
• With a particular emphasis on regional, transboundary approaches, with a focus on how to move from national, competing strategies to a cohesive, integrated regional approach 
• To identify best practices in addressing gender equality and women’s empowerment in fisheries, as well as in protecting coastal ecosystems and MPAs

Expected outcomes:

• Concrete recommendations on integration between ecosystem integration and fisheries management, building climate change resilience, integrating gender equality considerations, and fostering regional, transboundary integration

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

• Clear parameters to measure a project’s ability to build climate resilience, reinforcement of ecosystem approach/integration, ability to manage migratory fish stocks across national jurisdictions, link actions with policy priorities in relation to sustainable fisheries management.

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Theme E: Fostering inclusivity: Gender and Youth engagement in IW projects
Location: Punta del Este 1

Lead organization: IUCN
Session lead: James Dalton
Co-lead: Michela Miletto, UNESCO/WWAP

Description of session:

This session aims to highlight advances in inclusivity within International Waters projects by focusing on gender, Indigenous Peoples, community engagement and youth. A panel discussion will showcase concrete examples of how gender aspects, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities have been integrated into transboundary water management, highlighting the role of youth in these efforts Participatory group discussions will then focus on identifying practical tools and solutions to further enhance this inclusivity, with the ultimate goal of cultivating a robust community of practice within IW and providing concrete recommendations to GEF-9.

Session Objectives:

• To raise awareness about inclusivity in International Waters projects through focused discussions on gender, Indigenous Peoples, community engagement and youth
• To share best practices and experiences on inclusivity from case studies, and to cultivate a community of practice.

To identify tools, methodologies, resources, and practical solutions that have effectively fostered the inclusion of women, youth Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.

Expected Outcomes:

·       A collection of case studies and best practices demonstrating the successful implementation of gender-sensitive project design in International Waters projects.

·       A set of case studies and best practices showcasing the effective inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in IW projects.

·       A better understanding of the role of youth in IW projects and how to meaningfully engage and empower young people.

·       The creation of a library of tools and methodologies used for designing and implementing projects that are inclusive of gender, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and youth. The establishment of a network within IW focused on fostering a community of practice around gender, Indigenous Peoples, and community engagement.

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

1. Established Networks on Gender, Indigenous Peoples, and Community and Youth Engagement:
   • Creation and enhancement of networks focused on gender, Indigenous Peoples, community engagement and youth, accessible through the IW:Learn platform (e.g. as part of the gender hub). These networks facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration, and capacity building among stakeholders involved in IW projects.
   • Linking the IW:Learn gender hub and the network on gender, IP and community engagement with the GEF Gender Partnership Community of Practice among gender teams of GEF Integrated Programs
2. Recommendations:
   • Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives:
     Recommendations for incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into management plans for transboundary basins, ensuring that Indigenous practices are respected and integrated into sustainable water management strategies.
   • Engaging Local Communities:
     Recommendations for strengthening the integration of local communities into transboundary basin management plans, promoting their active participation in decision-making processes and governance.
   • Operationalizing GEF’s gender equality policy and program/project requirements, and youth engagement:
     Practical recommendations for implementing the GEF Policy on Gender Equality and GEF Guidance on Gender Mainstreaming within IW projects, with a focus on ensuring gender equality in resource management and empowering women in project planning and execution.
   • Recommendations for engaging and empowering youth in TB projects, promoting their active participation in decision-making processes and governance of TB basins.

1. Toolbox for Fostering Inclusivity in IW Projects:

Collection of tools such as methodologies aimed at fostering inclusivity in IW projects and supporting project teams in effectively integrating gender, Indigenous Peoples, and community engagement into project design, implementation, monitoring and measuring impacts and results, and systematically reporting gender-related results in PIRs, MTRs and TEs.

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Theme F: Looking into the future: Ensure robustness to future change
Location: Rio C

Lead organization: IADB
Session lead: Raúl Muñoz Castillo 
Co-lead: Arun Abraham, ADB

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation):

• UNEP - Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, ACTO, CTPT, Nairobi Convention, SPREP: The Caribbean BluEFin project   
• IDB - The Nature Conservancy: Water Funds 
• IDB; UNEP – GIZ; CAR/RCU; OAS: The GEF CReW+ Project 
• AfDB: Adaptation Benefit Mechanism 
• IDB: Financing Water Security for Regional Integration in LAC 
• UNEP/MAP : Engaging private sector financing into a multi-focal area Programme 
• CAF: Water security project and it challenges in transboundary waters in LAC 

• UNDP - International Maritime Organization: Catalysing technology investment to support the green transition of maritime industries 

Format: Discussion Panel  

Agenda (draft): 

• Introduction to the topic- warming up (5 min)- IADB (setting the ground) 
• Short presentations- setting the ground (16 min) 
• ADB 
• TNC 
• UNEP 
• Discussion Panel – For instance, 6 questions with 3 interventions per question to share the experience total of 54 min) 
• How did your project dealt with the main challenges and opportunities encountered in the implementation of innovative and sustainable technical solutions? 
• How did you project dealt with the main challenges and opportunities encountered in the establishment of innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms? 
• CAF 
• UNDP 
• AfDB 
• UNEP/MAP 
• IMO 
• UNEP-IADB (Crew+) 
• Q&A (15 min) 

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): 

Description of session:

Transboundary basins and international waters are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change, increasing population, and growing competition for water resources. To ensure water security and build resilient communities, innovative approaches to managing shared water resources are essential. 

This session will delve into practical solutions and real-world experiences in transboundary water management. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners, we aim to identify and discuss innovative strategies for addressing key challenges such as: 

• Overcoming institutional and governance barriers: Exploring effective mechanisms for cooperation, conflict resolution, and knowledge sharing among riparian countries. 
• Leveraging data and technology: Discussing the role of advanced data analytics, modeling, and early warning systems in supporting informed decision-making. 
• Financing sustainable water management: Identifying innovative financial instruments and partnerships to mobilize resources for transboundary projects. 
• Building resilience to climate change: Exploring adaptation strategies and nature-based solutions to protect water resources and ecosystems. 

Through interactive discussions and case studies, participants will gain valuable insights into successful transboundary water management initiatives and develop a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, this session aims to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable water management practices in shared river basins and international waters worldwide. 

Session Objectives:

• To foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders involved in transboundary and international water management, identifying and promoting innovative approaches to address shared challenges, build resilience, and achieve sustainable water security in the arena of international waters management. 

Expected outcomes:

• Learning from each other’s experiences and interactive discussion 

Specific inputs to GEF-9:  to be added shortly

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12:30-14:00  -  Lunch: Networking at Room Montecarlo
Innovation Marketplace - Foyer

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14:00-15:30  - Workshops

Session Title: Striving for Social and Economic Equity in LME & MPA Management
Session Code: WS-D4-01
Location: Punta del Este 2

Lead organization: Blue Nature Alliance
Session lead: Lihla Noori, Blue Nature Alliance*
Co-lead:

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Handoko Adi Susanto, ATSEA/ PEMSEA*
• Madeline Beattie, Blue Nature Alliance*
• Scott Atkinson, Blue Nature Alliance
• Joaquin Labougle, Blue Nature Alliance

Format: World Café

Agenda:

• Opening Welcome & Blue Nature Alliance Code of Conduct Summary
• Code of Conduct in Action: Global Examples of the 4 Social Equity Principals
• World Café rotating dialogues, featuring 4 deep dives on 4 social equity principals
• Table Facilitator Share-out, Next Steps & Closing

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): See * asterisks above

Description of session:

With the advent of 30 x30, conservation NGOs and government entities are pivoting to better facilitate projects that activate leadership, inclusion, and coordination by and with indigenous people, local communities, women, and youth. With Blue Nature Alliance Social equity principals at the center, and in collaboration with ATSEA, join us in this World Café style interactive workshop to deepen the practice for how LME and MPA management can be better informed, designed, and delivered to ensure long term effectiveness, conservation success, and livelihood benefit.

Session Objectives:

• Learn from examples of social equity principals in action through 4 global examples from the Pacific, Asia, South America and Canada.
• Discuss the overall co-benefits of practicing social equity principals
• Understand the enabling conditions needed to advance Social Equity in LME and MPA Management

Expected outcomes:

Expand IW Learn GEF Community understanding for how to ensure the durability and legitimacy of marine conservation, by integrating these overarching social principles into LME and MPA practice: 

• Recognize and respect the dignity and diversity of local people; 
• Employ and elevate participatory decision-making and good governance. 
• Promote the equitable distribution of benefits and costs; and
• Champion collaborative and effective management of the marine environment

Specific inputs to GEF-9:

Learning captured from the world café dialogues will be compiled, consolidated and published as Social Equity GEF-9 Recommendations including:

1. Examples of social equity principals in action 
2. Co- Benefits to practicing social equity principals 
3. Enabling conditions needed to advance Social Equity

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Session Title: Data and Information Management (DIM) in IW projects and programmes
Session Code: WS-D4-02
Location: Rio B

Lead organization: IW:LEARN 
Session lead: Claudette Briere Spiteri 
Co-lead: UNDP (Vladimir Mamaev; Khristine Gudczinski), UNEP (Isabelle Vanderbeck)

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Nagaraja Harshadeep (World Bank)
• Patrick Debels (UNOPS, PROCARIBE+)
• Alessandro Candeloro (UNEP/MAP)
• Viviane Kinyaga (ORASECOM)
• Laverne Walker (UNEP Cartagena)
• Maria Apostolova (ACTO)
• Ivar Ledezma (UNEP)
• Ahmed Elseoud (UNDP)

Agenda:

• Setting the scene - Highlights from Paris 2024 workshop
• Experiences on DIM from GEF IW projects 
• World Cafe break outs
• Closing 

Description of session:

The workshop will be a continuation of the first DIM workshop that took place on 5 June 2024, with the aim to resume the DIM workstream and activities after a hiatus of five years. Following the decision at the June 2024 workshop, a DIM Working Group will also be reinstated as an informal body with a clear mandate to guide the process and activities. This session will include the experiences and requirements of the IW freshwater portfolio, making sure that the DIM WG will serve the needs of the whole IW portfolio. 

Session Objectives: 

• To inform the portfolio and partners on the latest developments related to DIM 
• To provide an overview of the latest developments by partners presented at the June 2024 workshop 
• To identify the needs of the portfolio more clearly 
• To advance on the development of the DIM workplan for the period 2024-2026 

Expected outcomes: 

• Creation and finalization of the DIM WG (ToR; key milestones for 2024-2026; key organizations/people) 
• Enhanced understanding on how to utilize data and information as strategic assets for effective project management, environmental assessments, and contributing to regional and global reporting frameworks (SDGs, regional conventions). 
• Projects empowered to use data-driven insights for improved project outcomes, environmental stewardship, and impactful global reporting. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Recommendations for a portfolio-wide data and information policy for the new phase of IW:LEARN  

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Session Title: Shared Basin, Shared Destiny: Fostering Collaborative Water Governance for a Sustainable Future through the RBO Game
Session Code: WS-D4-03
Location: Rio A

Lead organization: International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) 
Session lead: ICPDR 
Co-lead: 

Contributors/Speakers (name, affiliation): 

• Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov, ICPDR 
• Prof. Dr. Susanne Schmeier, IHE Delft 
• Ivan Zavadksy, Regional Chair GWP-CEE 
•  Maha Abdelraheem Ismail, Nile Basin Initiative 

Format: World café

Rapporteur (name, affiliation): Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov, ICPDR 

Description of session:

The workshop will be made up of two components, theoretical (background) and interactive. 

1. Theoretical Part: 

• Provide overview of the background of RBOs, how they are established and key elements of efficient operation in a sustainable way 
• Present two examples as case studies:  
  Danube, Nile 

**The short theoretical presentation focuses on what it means to have a functioning RBO and demonstrates this by providing examples such as the Danube and the Nile 

 2. Interactive Part:  

• Introduction to the RBO game, which is about developing a proper and efficient RBO  

• Participants are divided into groups, depending on the group size 
• Each group focuses on one of the following parameters that an RBO covers: 

• Legal and institutional considerations for setup 
• Water allocation / Flood management issues 
• Hydropower development 

 
The ICPDR RBO game is a powerful educational resource that helps build understanding and skills necessary for effective river basin management, promoting collaboration and sustainable practices among future water leaders. This educational tool replicates real-world scenarios that underline the complexities and challenges of managing a river basin collaboratively. The key features of the game include role playing of various roles to promote understanding and empathy for the differing perspectives and priorities of various stakeholders. The game also presents players with different challenges and scenarios, pushing them to understand the importance of cooperation and collaborative decision making.  
 
**Note: due to time constraints in the workshop, we most likely will not delve into the full depth of the RBO game. The game is intended as an engaging way to educate the audience about the various nuances and complexities that must be factored into establishing RBOs.  

Session Objectives: 

To equip project managers and beneficiary countries with the knowledge and tools needed to establish well-functioning, efficient River Basin Organizations (RBOs) that promote sustainable water management and collaborative decision-making. 

Expected outcomes: 

Participants will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of the various nuances and complexities involved in establishing River Basin Organizations (RBOs), along with practical insights that can be applied to real-world scenarios. 

Specific inputs to GEF-9: 

• Raise participants' awareness of how to balance increasing water demand and address water-supply conflicts between different sectors and countries. 
• Expand participants' knowledge and skills in setting up and improving the legal and institutional frameworks of River Basin Organizations (RBOs). 
• Enable participants to understand and assess the critical aspects of legal and institutional cooperative frameworks for shared water systems. 

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15:30-16:00  - Break - Networking/ Innovation Marketplace 
Location: Foyer

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16:00-17:00 - Closing Session
Location: Punta del Este 1

More information to be available shortly