The Global Environment Facility (GEF) held its biennial conference to evaluate results and promote information sharing within project participants in the GEF's international waters focal area.
The GEF Global Groundwater Community of Practice was launched during the meeting.
2o October 2011: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biennial International Waters Conference brought together 300 participants involved in GEF’s International Waters (IW) portfolio of projects. The Conference aimed to facilitate information sharing and exchange of best practices in implementing international waters projects, which address the fragmentation of political jurisdictions, in order to balance water use among countries.
The Conference, organized by GEF and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with the Croatian Government, took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on 17-20 October 2011.
In preconference workshops for project managers, participants addressed nutrient reduction, global warming and climate change in large marine ecosystems (LMEs), and methods for developing projects to ensure transboundary cooperation and success. During the Conference, they held sessions on identifying, discussing and sustaining project results. Special sessions took place on the application of results-based management in GEF’s international waters portfolio.
Andre Laperriere, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEF, remarked that at its next meeting, to be held in November 2011, the GEF Council will consider US$100 million in new International Waters projects, which would come with an additional US$1.1 billion in cofinancing.
During the meeting, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Hydrological Programme launched the GEF Global Groundwater Community of Practice (CoP), which will be coordinated and facilitated by UNESCO. [UNESCO News Release] [GEF Press Release] [Conference Website]