The event began with high energy as participants gathered in Montevideo for the pre-conference workshops. Hosted at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), these sessions offered GEF IW project managers, thematic specialists, and agency representatives a hands-on opportunity to exchange knowledge, sharpen skills, and collaborate on solutions for shared water and ocean challenges. Day 1 focused on project management, with experienced professionals sharing insights on the effective management of GEF IW projects. A parallel session highlighted the needs and impacts of GEF-funded Small Island Developing States (SIDS) projects. On Day 2, workshops addressed sustainable funding and financing options for GEF IW projects, with insights from 4 mutlilateral development banks-ADB, AfDB, CAF and IDB - alongside a communications workshop to enhance participants' storytelling and visual reporting skills.  Reflecting on the pre-conference workshops, participant Madeline Beattie from Conservation International noted, “It’s been wonderful to interact with the range of different projects and implementing agencies and to see where the shared challenges lie and what lessons can be learned across the portfolio.”   

To watch the re-cap video of the Pre-conference workshop here

The weekend concluded with a warm social gathering in Punta del Este, reconnecting attendees after a six-year gap, with new participants eager to join the GEF IW community. As the film festival showcased global environmental success stories, the stage was set for a transformative and collaborative week ahead.Participanst votes for their favorire movie, with the winner beign "Acting together for water and life". All films are available to watch here.

On Monday 23 September, the plenary opened with a tribute to 30 Years of Environmental Impact marked by a celebratory video, going back int time from the first IWC to the 10^th edition.

Distinguished representatives from the Government of Uruguay, GEF, UNDP, and UNESCO highlighted the importance of transboundary cooperation in water management.  Robert Bouvier, Uruguay's Ministry of Environment, highlighted a key achievement within the Uruguay 2030 initiative, the recent establishment of Isla de Lobos National Park and its submerged environment, the country's first fully Marine Protected Area.

Andrew Hume, GEF IW Coordinator, emphasized how the GEF partnership evolved over the years in response to global environmental challenges, highlighting the significant role that diverse stakeholders have played in the success of the international waters portfolio.

The day featured a tribute to the pioneers of GEF’s International Waters portfolio over these 3- years, with the special guest, Dr. Alfred Duda reflecting on the onset and evolution of the International Waters focal area, and a showcase of key milestones through powerful testimonials. A special session with the evolution of the GEF IW portfolio in the Latin America showed how from the first IW project in the Bermejo Basin, hydrologic and climatic interconnections led to evolution of a whole portfolio, involving freshwater and marine ecosystems of global importance, like the Amazon Basin, the Humboldt Current LME and the Rio de la Plata. 

The last session of the opening focused on the history of IW:LEARN and its pivotal role in supporting the portfolio and catalysing knowledge and experience sharing, and culminated with the launch of the GEF IW:LEARN story map, a digital visualization tool that sheds light into the stories from the GEF IW projects and the impact of these investments on the ground, enabling transboundary cooperation, benefiting fresh and marine ecosystems and achieving global environmental benefits. Check the story map here.

Monday afternoon featured interactive sessions and workshops diving deeper into the next generation of transboundary cooperation and governance  -all the day highlights are in this beautiful reflection video. 

On day two, participants embarked on technical site visits across Uruguay, providing first-hand insights into the country's innovative water management and environmental conservation practices. Technical visits spanned from Montevideo’s cutting-edge wastewater treatment plant to the breathtaking landscapes of Santa Lucía’s Wetlands, Garzón, Rocha and Black Lagoon and Isla de Lobos.

In the first itinerary in Montevideo, participants experienced a blend of history and innovation. They walked through the colonial streets of Ciudad Vieja and toured the city’s advanced wastewater treatment plant. Visits to Santa Lucía’s Wetlands emphasized the crucial role of natural ecosystems in water purification and flood control, highlighting how protecting biodiversity directly impacts environmental health. 

The other Itineraries took participants to Uruguay’s natural wonders, such as the scenic Garzón and Rocha Lagoons, where they encountered rich biodiversity and pristine landscapes. In Punta del Este, the starting point was Madlonado’s wastewater treatment plant, a facility that serves the permanent population and a seasonal 10-fold spike, with a direct positive impact on the watercourses and coastal ecosystems. They further explored Isla de Lobos, home to a thriving sea lion colony and the first fully Marine Protected Area of Uruguay, and visited local landmarks, such as the La Mano sculpture, representing the human connection with nature and the struggle against the elements. The visit to Laguna Negra showcased the GEF-supported Merin Lagoon Basin project highlighting sustainable water management practices in one of Uruguay's largest water bodies. These visits were not only informative but also offered the participants a holistic understanding of the environmental, cultural, and economic aspects of water end environmental management in Uruguay.

The third day focused on “Bridging Past and Present,” with discussions centered around innovative solutions and impactful approaches to water management. Experts presented integrated water management strategies, addressing issues from marine spatial planning to climate resilience. Susanne Schmeier from GEF STAP emphasized the importance of integration as a crucial approach to effectively address environmental issues, particularly in the water sector.

A panel discussion on policy coherence further explored the challenges of designing, implementing, and monitoring integrated freshwater and marine policies. Julian Barbiere from IOC/UNESCO highlighted the critical role of science in this process, noting that "science provides strong evidence through technological advancements and frameworks for collaboration" to support these efforts.

Participants also took part in workshops and clinics, fostering collaboration and peer-to-peer learning on a range of thematics and cross-cutting topics.  You can watch the highlights of this day in the recap video  here.

On the fourth day, IWC10 focused on future with plenary sessions on innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration in water management. Experts highlighted the importance of involving youth, Indigenous Peoples, and women in creating sustainable and inclusive water policies. These discussions underscored the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in shaping effective solutions for international water governance.

The conversations highlighted how empowering Indigenous Peoples and advancing gender equality within international water projects are key to achieving lasting impacts. As Eliana Harrigan, a youth representative from One Water, pointed out, involving youth is not just a nice option—it is essential. "The more inclusive policies and projects are, the better they perform," she remarked. The day concluded with a vision for transforming international water governance through inclusive practices and technological innovation.

Revive the moments in this video.

We were thrilled to host 400 highly engaged participants whose projects came to life through posters, exhibition booths, and vibrant discussions. Their shared ideas, connections with new colleagues, and sense of community enriched the event. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue this journey and look forward to seeing everyone at IWC11!