IWC8 Agenda

by taylor@iwlearn.org — last modified Jun 03, 2016 12:24 PM

IWC8 Agenda

[MAIN PAGE] [AGENDA/OUTPUTS] [ABOUT SRI LANKA] [AIR TRAVEL BOOKING] [TECHNICAL SITE VISITS] [LOGISTICAL INFORMATION] [INNOVATION MARKETPLACE] [FILM FESTIVAL] [PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS EXCHANGE] [INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE] [ORGANIZERS] [SPONSORS] [MEDIA] [CONTACT US]

MONDAY 9 MAY

1400-1700

OFFICIAL ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area (lower lobby)

Participants will register/sign in at the conference common area desk (Indigo Room) and receive their welcome kits, conference programme and site visit ticket. Registration will remain open until the end of the opening ceremony.

INNOVATION MARKETPLACE SETUP

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom and Pre-Function Area

A tradition of the GEF Biennial International Waters Conferences is the Innovation Marketplace—the exhibit opportunity where GEF IW Projects display their results, unique approaches and catalytic outcomes, with emphasis on how these may be replicated. IWC8 presents a twist on the way the Innovation Marketplace is delivered. Rather than utilizing an exhibition booth, project exhibitors are instructed to design a poster for display on a retractable/roll up banner. All GEF IW Projects should undertake to produce an exhibit poster. More information is outlined below.

Exhibit posters will be set up and displayed on the perimeter of the Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom. Posters will also be displayed at the high-level event in Colombo.

1300-1630

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING ROUNDTABLE

Location: Jetwing Sea Conference Room

Session Coordinators: Christopher Cox, United Nations Environment Programme; Chuck Chaitovitz, Global Environment Technology Foundation

There is widespread agreement that nutrient runoff, primarily from untreated wastewater and agriculture, is leading to hypoxic areas of low oxygen that place our ocean environments and other transboundary waters resources at risk. With global population growth exerting significant pressures on the natural environment, including food production, economic development and waste discharges, the issue of nutrient management and excess nutrient run-off will remain a significant and growing concern. In this regard, the GEF-funded project Global foundations for reducing nutrient enrichment and oxygen depletion from land based pollution, in support of Global Nutrient Cycle (GEF-GNC Project) is contributing to the knowledge foundation to promote best nutrient management practices and policies, especially across the developing world. The Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) is supporting UNEP-GPA in project execution.

This interactive training is designed to engage GEF focal points, project managers, regional and national scientists and policy experts in use of the Global Nutrient Management Toolbox developed under the GEF-GNC Project. The toolbox serves as an information portal on the subject of nutrient management and contains three kinds of resources: case studies and reports; searchable databases on best practices and policies being implemented around the world; and an analysis tool for assessing a river basin's current and potential future nutrient load based on changes in management actions. Participants will also be exposed to methods of nutrient source-impact modeling/analysis.

The training is divided into two sessions: (1) Monday 9 May 2016 from 1300 to 1630—preconference technical training on source impact modeling and the Global Nutrient Management Toolbox; and (2) Thursday 12 May 2016 from 1630 to 1800—panel discussion on translating science to policy in the context of achieving the SDGs.

Introduction Presentation - Whalley

Session Goals

Objectives

Orient participants on the challenges of nutrient management; principles of nutrient use efficiency and minimization of environmental impacts; resources available in the global nutrient management toolbox; and means for adaptation to country, region or project-level to promote sustainable nutrient management.
Build capacity to implement the Ecosystem Report Card approach, source impact modeling, and the toolbox in making decisions on more efficient nutrient management; and promote good policies and practices with consequent benefits to policymakers, technical experts and extension workers, wider environment including improved water quality
Raise awareness on the relevance of the nutrient management agenda to attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, and leverage the tools to assist decision makers implement policy and actions to meet the specific SDG targets

Outputs

A synthesis of recommendations from the audience on potential applications of the tools, possible enhancements to facilitate adoption and replication, establishing relevance in support for the SDGs and strengthening linkages with the INMS Project
An inventory of scenarios and cases across the GEF IW portfolio and in countries with which the nutrient management tools can assist

Desired Outcomes

Heightened awareness of the nutrient challenge and UNEP's and GPNM's strategic approach to support countries in addressing the challenge in the context of the SDGs
Raised interest and increased capacity in the use of the tools and resources developed by the GEF-GNC Project to foster uptake and replication and contribution to a Community of Practice across relevant GEF investments and within countries to improve local capability to address nutrient challenges
Strengthened collaborative linkages and support to implementation of new nutrient management investments, including the GEF-International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) Project

1300-1430

LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS: MEGAREGIONAL BEST PRACTICES ON LME ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Session Coordinators: Ken Sherman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-NMFS); Andrew Hudson, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Speakers

(1) Patrick Debels, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

(2) Michael Akester, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

(3) David Vousden, Rhodes University

(4) Hugh Walton, Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency

(5) Andrew Hudson, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

(6) Kenneth Sherman, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service

(7) Rudolf Hermes, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

(8) Hashali Hamukuaya, Benguela Current Commission (BCC)

Since 1995, the GEF has catalyzed financial support to 110 countries engaged in the introduction and practice of multidisciplinary and multisectoral assessments in support of a fusion of natural and social science indicators of changing states of LMEs in seven megaregions of the planet. A broadly based five modular suite of indicators—productivity, fish & fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance—serve as the framework for fusion of indicator metrics with the GEF dual project planning and implementation processes requiring a consensus TDA and SAP approved by participating countries at the ministerial level of national and international governance levels. The workshop will review and record the best practices as they are described for LMEs in each of the seven global megaregions.

Special attention will be focused on the creation of the LME commissions and conventions as they are contributing to achieving the ecosystem sustainability goals as adopted by the three UN environmental summits (UNCED 1992, WSSD 2002, Rio+20 2012). The discussion will include consideration of the actions to be carried forward from the GEF report titled "From Coast to Coast, Celebrating 20 Years of Transboundary Management of Our Shared Oceans," distributed at the Paris COP 21 meeting in December 2015 stating that: "Today the LME approach is the cornerstone of the GEF strategy for ocean and coastal conservation and the GEF is the leading global funding source for transboundary water systems. As described in this chapter the Benguela Current, Caribbean Sea and Yellow Sea LMEs illustrate how the GEF investments and strategic partnerships have fostered a process that builds trust, cooperation and collective management of shared marine resources which have been replicated around the world."

Session Goals

Objectives

Review the megaregional activities with regard to LME ecological states and ecosystem based management (EBM) practices, including LME (i) productivity; (ii) fish & fisheries; (iii) pollution and ecosystem health; (iv) socioeconomics; and (v) governance
Megaregional LMEs to be discussed include: the Arctic, North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica

Outputs

Participants’ feedback on the progress being achieved in the planning and implementation of EBM practice. Special attention will be focused on the crosswalk between the TDA and SAP process and EBM planning and implementation

Desired Outcomes

More effective assimilation methodology for linking the natural science modules (productivity, fish & fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health) with the two social science modules (socioeconomics and governance) through application of indicators of changing ecosystem conditions with regard to best practice

1430-1500

BREAK: COFFEE AND TEA AVAILABLE

Location: Jetwing Beach Pre-Function Area

1500-1630

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION: OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION THROUGH TARGET FOCUSED APPROACHES

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Session Coordinators: Sevvandi Jaykody, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and Chris O’Brien, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Humans are great storytellers. Stories have molded our perceptions, attitudes and identity. The way we handle and manage our natural resources is very much determined by the stories we have listened to. A good story will have a beginning and a meaningful and well-connected end, so that each element and each player of the story ultimately shapes the outcome. Good storytellers will twist the plot as per the audience and their level of understanding.

Often we fail to tell our story at a level to resonate with the abilities of the targeted community. As such, science is often misinterpreted and ignored, and anticipated partnerships, support or expected changes are not achieved. Hence, improving the skills of science communication is a key need for anyone that has a story to tell. It is a balance among the right content, appropriate words, timing and focus.

How do we pass the key messages from our work to grass root-level communities, so that they understand systems are dynamic and that with their support and willingness we can help manage the precious resources for the future? Equally how do we convince policymakers the crust of our outcomes, so that scaling up is facilitated? Everything lies with the way we communicate our sciences. We invite you to take the elevator challenge with us in this session—bring along your story.

Session Goals

Objectives

Introduce two minute drills and storyboards as aids for focused message building
Encourage session participants to share successful communication strategies
Introduce skills for developing stories with minimal jargon and maximum impact for policymakers

Outputs

Storyboards and two minutes drills prepared for each project’s select target group
Successful communication strategies highlighted and adopted by participants
An agreed set of do’s and don’ts in science communication for interaction from policymakers to the grass root level
Presentation slides:

Desired Outcomes

Increased interest and skills in target- oriented science communication that will resonate with the abilities of information receiver
Elements of a good speech and a write up understood
Improved skill on using different media platforms for communication

1630-1700

BREAK: COFFEE AND TEA AVAILABLE

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area

1700-1800

OFFICIAL OPENING – KEYNOTE ADDRESSES AND CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

Session Coordinators: Mish Hamid and Taylor Henshaw, GEF IW:LEARN

Facilitator: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

Speakers

(1) GEF Secretariat

(2) Peter Batchelor, UN Development Programme (UNDP) - Country Office Sri Lanka

(3) Jeremy Bird, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

(4) H.E. Didier Dogley, Seychelles Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

(5) Government of Sri Lanka

Welcome remarks

Conference overview and themes

Visionary messages on scaling up investments from source to sea and beyond in the context of achieving the SDGs

1800-1900

PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS EXCHANGE

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

Session Coordinator: Mish Hamid and Taylor Henshaw, GEF IW:LEARN

Facilitator: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

Pecha Kucha 20 Slide x 20 Second Presentations

(1) Michael Akester, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS): Diversified Production from the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem Area

(2) Jose Matheickal, International Maritime Organization (IMO): The “Glo-X Model” of GEF IW Interventions for Scaling Up Investments by Connecting and Mutually Leveraging Public and Private Sector Tracks

(3) Naiana Milea, Romania Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests: Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project

(4) Alfredo Coello Vazquez, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): Testing a Prototype Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management

(5) Aurélian Dumont, UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP): A Framework for Action to achieve Good Groundwater Governance in 2030

(6) Sergey Kudelya, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS): Knowledge management: experience from the Lake Baikal Project

(7) Somboon Siriraksophon, Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC): Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand

(8) Raul Glotzbach, International Water Association (IWA), Flood and Drought Management Tools

GEF IW projects have a plenary opportunity to promote their innovative solutions/approaches to scale up GEF IW investments from source to sea in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The event will showcase solutions that best demonstrate the greatest alignment with the IWC8 theme, and specifically, with one of the conference learning tracks. The conference plenary will vote on their favorite solution, done by simple ballot. A prize will be awarded to the project whose portfolio solution receives the most ballots.

Characteristics of a Top Portfolio Solution:

Feasibility and Ease of Implementation

Resources needed to implement the solution are readily available
The solution is cost-effective, or can be made so
The risks are identifiable, quantifiable, manageable and are minimal compared to the benefits

Breadth of Application

The conditions that need to be in place for the solution to be introduced are well defined
The solution is versatile and can be applied and implemented in diverse settings across multiple sectors, countries and cultures

Chosen project solutions will be presented by the respective project representatives in the Pecha Kucha 20x20 format, where the presenter shows 20 images, each for 20 seconds. Each presentation will last 7 minutes.

Session Goals

Objectives

A platform for projects to present their action-inspiring solutions to transboundary waters management challenges to promote solution replication and scaling up across the portfolio

Outputs

Solution presentations; feasibility and ease of implementation and breadth of application of each solution is captured and included in the conference report and featured on the IW:LEARN website

Desired Outcomes

At least one of the solutions presented utilized (directly or indirectly) by project stakeholders in their project implementation

1900-2100

WELCOME RECEPTION

Location: Jetwing Beach Hotel Beachfront

Hosted by Government of Sri Lanka

TUESDAY 10 MAY

0900-0915

REFLECTION VIDEO & EXPECTATIONS

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

A short video documenting participant expectations for the conference and recap of Day 1 will be screened.

0915-1045

GEF INTERNATIONAL WATERS: KEEPING IT VIBRANT AFTER 25 YEARS

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

Session Coordinator: Christian Severin, GEF Secretariat

Facilitator: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

Speakers

(1) GEF Secretariat

(2) Juha Uitto, Global Environment Facility (GEF) - Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)

(3) Andrea Merla, Global Environment Facility (GEF) - Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)

(4) Mish Hamid, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

(5) Tiina Kurvits, GRID Arendal

(6) Ivica Trumbic, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

(7) Liana Talaue McManus, Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP)

This session will consist of four parts, all with relevance to the GEF International Waters focal area:

S The GEF Secretariat will provide a perspective of the GEF 6 International Waters Strategy in the context of GEF 2020, and present an overview of GEF 6 programming and directions for the remainder of GEF 6.

S The GEF Independent Evaluation Office (https://www.thegef.org/gef/eo_office) will provide a presentation focusing on emerging evaluative evidence gleaned from IW-related evaluations and a portfolio analysis of trends in GEF IW performance and implementation, which will provide an opportunity to discuss what these findings and conclusions imply moving forward in the focal area.

S The GEF IW:LEARN/LME:LEARN (www.iwlearn.net) Project Coordinating Unit will provide an overview of the two new portfolio learning projects, which will strengthen knowledge management capacity and promote scaled-up learning of disseminated experiences, tools and methodologies for transboundary waters management—across and beyond the GEF IW portfolio, together with a global network of partners, in order to improve the effectiveness of GEF IW and partner projects to deliver tangible results and scaled-up investments.

S The results from the Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (http://www.geftwap.org/) will be shared, summarizing the assessment results for 758 transboundary waters (aquifers, lakes, rivers, LMEs and the open ocean) and the contemporary risks that threaten these systems.

1045-1115

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area

1115-1245

1.1 MOBILIZING FINANCE AND SCALING UP INVESTMENTS:

GOOD PRACTICES TOWARD MEETING THE SDGs

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Pillar Chair: Adrian Ross, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Session Coordinator: Alfred M. Duda, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Background Document:
Mobilizing Finance and Scaling up Investment: Good Practices in IWRM & ICM Demonstration Projects - A Guidance Note

Speakers

(1) Adrian Ross, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA): Scaling Up in East Asia LMEs through ICM
[One-Pager Summary]

(2) Naiana Milea, Romania Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Waters and Forests: Scaling up Nutrient Reduction (Danube, Black Sea)

(3) Arunkumar Abraham, Asian Development Bank (ADB): Coral Triangle Investment Funds
[One Pager-Summary]

(4) Alfredo Coello, Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management (CReW), Caribbean SIDS Investments
[One-Pager Summary]

(5) Sulan Chen, UN Development Programme (UNDP): Improving SAP Implementation by Involving the GEF SAP

Discussion with Panelists (co-moderators Christian Severin, GEF Secretariat and Alfred Duda, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

The performance of GEF IW projects can be improved with wider adoption of investments and additional mobilization of finance to scale up demonstration scale work funded by GEF. With adoption of the SDGs by our world leaders, an even greater urgency for wider adoption is now a priority. A GEF good practice note (2014) with some examples of catalyzing transformation and scaling up of demo investments should be read before the session and is available at:

http://iwlearn.net/abt_iwlearn/events/workshops/2nd-regional-workshop-for-asia-and-the-pacific/mobilizing-finance-and-scaling-up-investment-good-practices-in-iwrm-icm-demonstration-projects-a-guidance-note.

This session utilizes a panel of leaders associated with existing GEF projects to review case studies and good practices in developing, facilitating and implementing investments and scaling up demo projects. Panelists share their experiences and knowledge in a short first part of the session, and then an interactive discussion is facilitated with participants to identify constraints to scaling up and how they may be overcome.

The importance of an enabling government-driven and regulatory environment is underscored to foster the transformation of policies, legal frameworks and investment funding. Private sector participation is also highlighted in examples as is facilitating information needed for decision-makers to act. Participants are asked to identify case study products that may be useful to them as they undertake their GEF IW projects.

Session Goals

Objectives

S To familiarize participants of the many ways to scale up investments after a SAP is completed

Outputs

S One page summaries from each speaker posted on GEF IW:LEARN website before IWC8

Desired Outcomes

S Capacity built for participants to move beyond studies, planning, demos and lively interaction among panelists and participants in discussion session with provocateur

2.1 GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES IN A SOURCE TO SEA CONTINUUM– CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Pillar Chair: Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

Session Coordinator: Birgitta Liss Lymer, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

Speakers

(1) Jakob Granit, GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)/ Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI)

(2) Giles Romulus, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

(3) Muhammad Khurshid, South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP)

(4) Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

(5) Dimitris Faloutsos, Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean

The dynamic interface between land and oceans captures a key development and environmental challenge of our time, but current approaches to environmental protection and development on land, along rivers and coastal zones, and in marine environments are struggling to effectively address linkages in the source to sea continuum. The international community has recognized the need for integrated coastal and freshwater management in the Manila Declaration on Furthering the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, adopted by 65 countries in January 2012, which committed “to improve cooperation and coordination at all levels to deal with issues related to oceans, coasts, islands and their associated watersheds, by applying integrated management such as “ridge to reef” approaches, including by involving stakeholders and developing innovative solutions to improve or resolve identified problems”. The multi-stakeholder “Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management” (S2S Platform, www.siwi.org/source-to-sea) was established in 2014 to further this work.

Recognizing the significant experience of GEF IW projects in implementing freshwater, coastal, and marine projects and programs, GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) initiated a scientific study to assess lessons learned and develop a framework for governance and management in the source to sea continuum in collaboration with the S2S Platform. Based on this, draft recommendations to the GEF partnership on how to effectively design and support implementation and scaling up of GEF projects and programs have been developed for feedback and discussion at the session (www.siwi.org/s2spaper) (password s2spaper).

Session Goals

Objectives

S To assess challenges and opportunities in the governance and management of resources in the source to sea continuum, drawing upon GEF experiences to address source to sea priorities and recent work of the STAP and the S2S Platform in this domain

Outputs

S Recommendations on how GEF can build upon ongoing efforts and further strengthen its work to address source to sea priorities

Desired Outcomes

S Source to sea priorities through GEF IW and other GEF focal areas are identified and capitalized upon

3.1 TRANSBOUNDARY WATERS: STATUS AND TRENDS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Pillar Chairs: Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Julian Barbière, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Session Coordinator: Liana Talaue McManus, Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP)

Transboundary waters extend across, or lie beyond, national boundaries, including the open ocean and marine waters that cover almost 70% of the earth’s surface, and freshwater systems that occupy at least 40% of the global land surface. The management of transboundary waters is constrained by a lack of systematic, global comparative assessment of their changing conditions in response to human induced and natural stresses.

The UNEP-GEF Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP) presents the first global assessment of international waters. It consists of five water-category-specific assessments that cover 199 transboundary aquifers and groundwater systems in 43 small island developing states, 206 transboundary lakes and reservoirs, 286 transboundary river basins; 66 Large Marine Ecosystems, and the open ocean, for a total of 758 international water systems. With the exception of the open ocean assessment, the four water system category assessments are comparative, providing quantitative indicator- based means of classifying water systems into five risk categories, from very high to very low risk. A crosscutting analysis that brings together the five water components provides a high level summary of patterns and trends. The assessments results are organized into five technical reports and a sixth volume that provides a cross-category analysis of status and trends. A Summary for Policymakers accompanies each volume. In addition, all supporting data and publications are accessible via a central data portal (www.geftwap.org) that links the five water-category specific websites.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Present the salient results of TWAP, their utility and limitations for applications at multiple scales

S Encourage the use of the results, methods and databases among GEF IW projects and other regional transboundary and national basin assessments with a view to further improve transboundary governance

S Explain and broaden the institutional partnerships seeded by GEF TWAP as a template for continuing future global assessments of transboundary aquatic systems at multiple scales

Outputs

S Summary of user recommendations for future TB waters assessments relevant to their management needs and sustainability

S Potential list of indicators/methods/input data that can be added to the current mix

S Potential list of GEF IW projects that may contribute assessment data and methods at finer scale for incorporation into the global databases

S Audience feedback on the utility of the TWAP web-based knowledge products

Desired Outcomes

S Heightened appreciation of the need for and purpose of TWAP, its global coverage and institutional complexity

S Based on audience suggestions, TWAP partnerships are effectively broadened to sustain collaborations in transboundary water assessments and management

1245-1430

LUNCH & SIDE EVENTS

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel

1430-1600

1.2 PROMOTING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IN MAJOR GLOBAL INDUSTRIES

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Pillar Chair: Adrian Ross, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Session Coordinator: Christian Susan, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Speakers

(1) Jose Matheickal, International Maritime Organization (IMO): GloBallast and GloMEEP

(2) Carolina Gonzalez-Mueller, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO): (MED-TEST, Danube TEST, Niger TEST - resource efficiency)

(3) Hugh Walton, Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency: Pacific SIDS Fisheries Conventions

Some of the challenges facing the earth’s shared water systems are truly ‘global’ in nature and require a global response. Often these challenges are caused by the operations or actions of a particular industry sector, so involving these industries in management efforts is vital. The key driver in any industry transformation is demonstrating to industry that more environmentally friendly methods not only can be good for image, but they can prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. This session will explore how GEF IW projects catalyze transformational change in major global industries.

The GEF-UNDP-IMO Global Ballast Water Partnerships program (GloBallast) (http://globallast.imo.org/) will conclude after 15 years of successful implementation and playing a catalytic role in transforming an industry sector toward addressing a major transboundary international water issue—marine bio invasion. The session will tell the story and provide an opportunity to share lessons learned from the GloBallast approaches and how the project catalyzed a major technology market worth US$40 billion and how a Global Industry Alliance (GIA) was successfully forged under the Project. The session will also discuss the GEF-UNDP-IMO Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project, recently launched, which is the first multi-focal (IW and CC) global project of GEF, and seen as having the potential to promote technology cooperation and transform the global maritime industry toward a low-carbon future.

This session will introduce the TEST integrated approach and provide guidance on how to build capacity to apply the approach and facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technology that can improve the environmental performance and the productivity of priority industrial sectors. TEST was originally developed under the GEF IW-funded “TEST in the Danube River Basin” project. Since then it has been replicated in several regions of the world with the support of different donors; including the MED TEST (2009-2012), supported by the GEF and the Italian Government under the Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) of UNEP-MAP. The session will present how the TEST approach can trigger a transformation in industry to become more resource efficient and less polluting, while increasing productivity and enhancing their relationship with key stakeholders.

A presentation will explore the role of the GEF-funded Oceanic Fisheries Management Project in the context of transformational and incremental change. It examines the evolution of the GEF IW initiative through to the newly operational Oceanic Fisheries Management Project Two. Progress toward transformational change is discussed in the context of the complex environment of project implementation and multiple agency inputs. Anticipated outcomes and associated indicators for OFMP 2 are discussed in the context of the project operational environment.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Showcase how GEF investments into the environment can lead to sectoral transformations in industry, leverage significant private sector investments as well as substantive financial support from other institutions/donors

Outputs

S Concrete figures and information on the impacts and financial resources the GEF investments realized with limited financial resources could leverage will be provided for selected industrial sectors (marine transport industry, manufacturing industries, fishery industry)

Desired Outcomes

S GEF Agencies and decision makers in transboundary institutions inspired to adopt and replicate the approaches presented so that they can be further rolled out and up-scaled in different socio-economic contexts and different geographical areas, so that incremental global environmental benefits and regional socio-economic benefits as well as financial resources for investments into the environment can be leveraged

2.2 WATER COOPERATION ACROSS LEVELS:

INCORPROATING TOOLS FOR CHANGE IN THE SAP PROCESS

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Pillar Chair: Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

Session Coordinators: Mark Smith and Stefano Barchiesi, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Speakers

(1) Mark Smith, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Framing the multi-level and multi-stakeholder aspects of SAPs or Commission implementing Projects

(2) Patrick McConney, University of the West Indies Center for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES): Lessons learned from National Inter-sectoral Consultative Mechanisms (NICs) in LME projects

(3) Raphaël Glémet, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): (1) Multilevel transboundary cooperation: from theory to reality, case study of BRIDGE in the 3S basins of the Mekong

(4) Emerita Mugorewicyeza, the Nile Basin Initiative: Effective multi-level dialogue in the Nile Basin

(5) Peter Burek, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): Water Futures and Solutions Initiative and the Nexus Challenge

A complementary approach to the management of transboundary waters and strengthening of transboundary cooperation works at the convergence of water diplomacy and multi-level water governance. By facilitating cooperation at multiple levels, traditional high-level, inter-governmental diplomacy on water can be complemented and reinforced. What helps transboundary cooperation to be operationalized is creation of dialogue spaces and cooperation mechanisms. This promotes agreements on river basin or LME management as well as their implementation by water or living marine resource users.

In order to build the necessary dialogues to make cooperation a reality that catalyzes change, it is necessary to use a suite of tools that support strategic engagement of diverse and multi-level sets of stakeholders. These include policy-influencing activities and capacity-building modules such as training on international water law, national water governance and benefit sharing as the building blocks to improve capacities for national level officials and local community representatives alike. At the interface between the regional and national aspects of transboundary governance, National Intersectoral Committees (NICs) provide a mechanism for multi-sectoral cooperation.

This session will introduce the most innovative of these tools and approaches utilized by the GEF IW portfolio and partners. Developing and then implementing a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) is an objective, and a challenge, of many GEF IW Projects. The session will look at how to incorporate these tools for change in the SAP process as the main mechanism for operationalizing water cooperation in the GEF IW context. The session will combine facilitation techniques, particularly world café-style roundtables, and means for collective prioritization of needs and actions by all participants.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Invite reflection on the importance of participation of different stakeholders and institutions, particularly municipalities, provinces as well as national and sub-national level water agencies in implementation of specific measures from SAP, in addition to the role of governments, ministries, and international commissions

S Make the case for multi-level and multi-sectoral water cooperation and governance as a strategically important approach for the GEF IW Portfolio

Outputs

S A compilation of portfolio tools, lessons and needs for multi-level water cooperation

Desired Outcomes

S GEF IW projects adopt different water diplomacy strategies and promote platforms at a lower level of governance to catalyze and accelerate change at a higher level.

3.2 MODERN DATA AND TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONAL WATERS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Pillar Chairs: Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Julian Barbière, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Session Coordinator: Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep (Harsh), The World Bank

Speakers

(1) Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep (Harsh), The World Bank

(2) Jeremy Bird, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

(3) Maria Jaqueline Mendoza Ortega, Amazon Cooperation Organization (ACTO)

(4) Sarah Freeman, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

(5) Papa Kebe, International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF)

(6) Francesca Bernardini, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

(7) Abdelkader Dodo, Sahel and Sahara Observatory (Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS))

A variety of emerging data and tools are helping modernize water resources planning, management, and operations. Some of these hold special promise for IW; and this session will explore and discuss these opportunities, which could address traditional challenges that have hampered transboundary cooperation. Such challenges have included lack of comprehensive monitoring or use of modern ICT advances; reluctance to share data, especially in the public domain; a confusing diversity of very specialized portals; lack of adequate technical or institutional capacity; lack of involvement of a wide range of stakeholders; and high cost of monitoring and modeling, all resulting in a lack of access to even basic data, maps, and analytical tools and services to support decisions.

The session will introduce a menu of options based on emerging global good practice that could help us modernize the way we approach international waters programs. It will highlight several of these evolving aspects to set up a lively discussion, including those related to:

Decisions to be supported recognizing regional and national IW perspectives (e.g. related to hydromet, transboundary basin planning, shared aquifer or lake management, catchment management, water quality management, coordinated operations of water infrastructure)
Data Generation, Management, and Visualization: Enhanced monitoring systems (including remote sensing, crowdsourcing, big data), curated databases, modern surveys, online data services (including cloud-based), public data access, Portals and Apps (e.g. The World Bank’s Spatial Agent)
Analytical Tools: a wide range of new tools (spatial analysis, models, decision support systems) for various types of water resources analyses; modern online analytical tools
Institutional Tools: Modern Regional and National Water Centers, decision theatres, internship programs, e-books, distance learning, helpdesks, vendor fairs, knowledge events

A panel and general discussion to provide GEF IW implementation perspectives on the appetite to draw from this menu for modernizing international waters programs will follow, considering the Data à Information à Knowledge à Decision support value chain.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Improve awareness of modern data and tools for more effective international waters management

Outputs

S Menu of options for modern data and tools in IW planning, management and operations

S Reflections of IW participants on data and information challenges to support decisions in different IW contexts

S Discussions on potential for the menu of options to address challenges

Desired Outcomes

S Improved recognition of global good practice options to support information-based decisions in IW

1600-1630

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area

1630-1800

EXCHANGE ON SIDS

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Session Coordinator: Akiko Yamamoto, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Recent global developments, including the adoption of the SDGs and the outcome of COP 21, have led countries to pursue more holistic and integrated approaches to sustainable development, which consider economic, environmental, social, political, and cultural aspects. Small Island Development States (SIDS)—countries with the most resource-strapped and vulnerable communities—need to respond fast and innovatively to meet the SDGs and other international commitments. They need to be efficient in their resources allocation, be it financial resources or human resources.

GEF has supported all 34 SIDS in the world to advance on IWRM and/or ICM policy and planning, as well as IWRM/ICM demonstrations, ranging from ecological sanitation to watershed management to groundwater protection through a series of IW projects. Through ICM policy and demonstrations, SIDS have been trying to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of coastal governance toward the sustainable use of coastal resources and of the services generated by ecosystems in coastal areas. Protecting the functional integrity of these natural resource systems while allowing economic development to proceed in a limited land space of SIDS is a real challenge, yet critically important for their sustainable future.

Given the very clear linkages at SIDS between upstream watershed management and the welfare of downstream coastal ecosystems, SIDS are leading the world in applying a source to sea approach that actively integrates the two planning methodologies—IWRM and ICM. The source to sea (or ridge to reef) approach makes sense geographically, but how about its potential effectiveness in securing the financial resources required for SIDS to achieve sustainable development, to build resilient communities, and to achieve SDGs?

This session will discuss—through the exchange of good practices and lessons learned—how the source to sea approach can help SIDS scale up investments and achieve SDGs. Discussions will focus on how past and/or ongoing GEF IW support helps/helped catalyze more resources, and—with concrete examples and case studies—how SIDS, with limited human and financial resources of their own, can implement projects most effectively after funds are secured

More integrated and programmatic approach practiced in SIDS among those initiatives supported by external finance and between the initiatives financed externally and on their own national budget

Objectives

S For SIDS participants to discuss—through the exchange of good practices and lessons learned—how the source to sea approach helps SIDS scale up investments and achieve the SDGs

Outputs

S Participants with better understanding of the current and future financial landscape and opportunities within it

S Participants acquired knowledge of good practices and lessons learned from other SIDS on securing further financial support beyond GEF IW

S Participants with the current GEF IW support acquire better understanding of what actions must be taken BEFORE the current GEF IW support completes to increase its catalytic effects to mobilize further funding

Desired Outcomes

S Integration of the source to sea approach in the financial and development planning of SIDS

PLANNING FOR FLOODS AND DROUGHTS IN A TRANSBOUNDARY BASIN CONTEXT

Location: Turquoise and Aquamarine Room

Session Coordinator: Peter Bjørnsen, UN Environment Programme-DHI

This session will draw on findings and outcomes of the UNEP-GEF Flood and Drought Management Tools project (http://fdmt.iwlearn.org/en) to date, and the specific experiences in the project basins—Volta, Lake Victoria and Chao Phraya.

The session will focus on topics related to planning at the basin or local scale and will be broken into the following activities:

Presentation of tools and challenges for basin and catchment planning
Interactive session on data availability and data uncertainty
Discussion on the usability and uncertainty related to the presented data
Reflection from the project basins—Chao Phraya, Volta and Lake Victoria

Data is the basis for any planning activity, and data availability is often one of the key constrains for planning. The interactive session on data availability and data uncertainty will focus on how remotely sensed data could be used in planning, and how near real-time data, seasonal forecast and climate data could be retrieved and used. Group work will include using the data portal developed as part of the Flood and Drought Management Tools project for retrieving and analyzing data for a specific case; a discussion of usability in a TDA/SAP context; and a discussion on the presentation, usability and uncertainty related to the data.

Session Goals

Objectives

S To present challenges and tools for planning in a transboundary basin context taking into account climate variability, climate change, flood and drought events

S To exchange knowledge and learn about current practices and gaps through interactive group sessions

Outputs

S Feedback on the developed tools related to data availability

S Discussion and feedback on the usability and uncertainty of the presented data tool in a planning context

S Discussion on how to combine local and global data in a planning situation

Desired Outcomes

S Increased awareness of the use of spatially distributed satellite data in drought and flood management

S Increased awareness of the outcomes of the Flood and Drought Management Tools project

BASIN TRADEOFFS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Session Coordinators: Mark Smith and Stefano Barchiesi, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Sarah Davidson and Li Lifeng, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Speakers

(1) Peter Burek, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): Water Futures and Solutions Initiative and the Nexus Challenge

(2) Li Lifeng, World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Hydropower planning and energy, food and biodiversity tradeoffs in the Tapajos sub-basin of the Amazon and other examples worldwide

(3) Sonja Koeppel, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): Assessing the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus in transboundary basins: the example of the Alazani-Ganykh basin

(4) Mark Smith, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Environmental flows as a negotiated approach to water allocation, experiences from the Pangani basin

The sustainable development and management of water resources infrastructure, including for hydropower generation, irrigation, flood control, industrial and domestic water supply, is a critical IWRM challenge at both the site/project level and at the whole-basin scale. Further, environmental condition is rarely considered in productivity goals for a basin, and practical ways of balancing multiple stakeholder needs still must be applied widely.

The nexus approach to enhancing water, energy, food and environmental security aims to assess existing sectoral relationships, increase resource efficiency, reduce trade-offs, build cooperation among sectors, and improve overall governance. At the same time, Environmental Flows is a tool to ensure the needs of people and nature are met, through recognizing the role ecosystems play in providing water, including to key sectors of the economy, and water allocation planning.

This session will look at examples of GEF IW projects that have spearheaded applications of Environmental Flows in river basin management; discuss the additional challenges and opportunities presented by the nexus approach; and facilitate future exchanges on these topics as part of IW:LEARN’s Learning Exchange Service Centre.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Learn from project demonstrations across different regions and basins as well as in terms of future needs for support as inter-sectoral mechanisms are being promoted and implemented

Outputs

S A compilation of portfolio experiences, lessons and needs for environmental flow application in the context of IWRM and basin trade-offs

Desired Outcomes

S GEF IW projects devise and apply strategies for applying environmental flows in river basin management, including as part of nexus assessments

OPEN OCEANS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Session Coordinators: Jacqueline Alder and Kathrin Hett, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Speakers

(Intro Presentation) Kathrin Hett

(1) Jakob Granit, GEF Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)/ Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI): GEF STAP Scoping Paper

(2) Henrik Ringbom, Åbo Akademi University: GEF STAP Scoping Paper

(3) Alejandro Anganuzzi, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Capacity development

(4) Chris O’Brien, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): RFMOs

(5) Milen Dyoulgerov, The World Bank: OPP

(6) Shelley Clarke, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC): Sharks and sea turtles work under the ABNJ Tuna Project

(7) Rab Nawaz, World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Northern Indian Ocean bycatch work on gillnet vessels under the ABNJ Tuna Project

(8) Ross Wanless, BirdLife International: Seabird work under the under the ABNJ Tuna Project

Moderated by Leah Karrer, GEF Secretariat

This session will discuss issues related to the overall governance of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). It will open with a reflection from the GEF STAP on the existing legal and management gaps and opportunities that exist and will be necessary to address, in order to effectively manage multiple uses of ABNJ that are also able to adapt to changing conditions in the future.

The session will also review the evolution of regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs); how they are strengthening their mandates; and with the vast majority of the fishing and coastal nations under their purview, how they are extending their coverage of the ABNJ. In particular, the session will review the progress of tuna and deep seas RFMOs toward implementation of the precautionary approach and the ecosystem approach to fisheries, and the compliance control processes put in place by member States for their tuna fisheries.

The second element pertains to the contribution that capacity building makes to the management of the ABNJ, by strengthening global and regional dialogue on multi-sectoral cooperation, and further support evidence-based decision making on ABNJ-related issues. The ABNJ Capacity Project has established two communities of practice to encourage such discussions, and has established a program supporting the participation of regional leaders from developing countries in global ABNJ processes. Another key area to benefit from innovative capacity building is associated with combatting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, at both the national and regional levels beyond and within exclusive economic zones (EEZs). The ABNJ Projects have engaged in a multi-path strategy for addressing this issue. The ABNJ Tuna Project is developing a curriculum for a 4-6 week training course that could be the basic qualification for a professional career working in monitoring, control and surveillance. All the ABNJ Projects are supporting the extension, and tailoring of existing national and regional networks, to promote the exchange of experiences, lessons learned and, when appropriate, intelligence related to combating IUU.

The third element centers on the reduction of the impact of fishing activities on the ecosystems. Again, the approaches being used to address this are diverse, given the different issues being addressed; they include: a strengthening in the collaborative management of shark stocks that are caught across RFMO boundaries; better evaluation of mitigation practices for seabirds and small tuna in various fisheries (and global dissemination of the results); and working with tuna and deep sea fishing stakeholders to promote the use of fishing practices with a reduced impact on ecosystems.

A moderated dialogue with the audience will conclude the session on potential opportunities among GEF partners to support biodiversity and ecosystem conservation in ABNJ. The activities being undertaken in support of improving governance, capacity building and reduction in the impacts of fishing exemplify the vision that FAO and its partners share to strengthen the management and conservation of the ABNJ, not only of fisheries but the environment or ecosystems that fisheries operate in. FAO and its partners are taking stock of the lessons learned and developing a blueprint for upscaling and replicating successful approaches in a potential follow up to the Common Oceans ABNJ Program. One of the central questions in this moderated dialogue would address capacity building needs at the national, regional and global levels that could be supported using GEF resources.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Familiarize participants with governance challenges, gaps and management opportunities in ABNJ

S Present work in ABNJ currently supported by the GEF, in particular addressing capacity building related to fisheries and the impact of fishing activities on the ecosystems

S Discuss opportunities for GEF’s future work in ABNJ in general and related to a potential follow up to the Common Oceans ABNJ Program

Outputs

S Audience feedback and network building among conference participants on the work in ABNJ, including activities currently supported by the GEF

S Audience feedback and suggestions on opportunities for GEF’s future work in the ABNJ, including GEF IW community recommendations to be considered in the STAP ABNJ scoping paper

Desired Outcomes

S Increased awareness about the governance challenges, gaps and management opportunities in ABNJ

S Increased awareness about existing governance mechanisms, in particular regional fisheries management organizations

S Informed understanding about the future role of the GEF in supporting environmental conservation in ABNJ

1800-1900

FILM FESTIVAL

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

Session Coordinator: Taylor Henshaw, GEF IW:LEARN

Host: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

A film festival will highlight selected GEF IW projects at IWC8.

Submitted films must be less than 12 minutes long to be festival eligible. An independent panel will select five films from the submission pool for festival screening.

A judging panel consisting of a representative sample of key GEF IW Portfolio stakeholders will determine the winner during the festival. Films will be scored out of 12 points, based on the following criteria and point breakdown:

Uniqueness of the topic:

Is it an innovative approach to IW issues that could be replicated? 2 points

Good progress made:

Does it show clear impacts of intervention and the catalytic role played by the GEF? 3 points

Quality of information:

Is it educational and does it provide good promotional value to the project and/or GEF IW? 4 points

Production quality:

Is it visually pleasing and overall enjoyable? 3 points

The highest and lowest judge scores will not be included in the judging totals. Project representatives are kindly asked to take audience questions following their respective film screening.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Participating projects share their innovative approaches and best practices to water resources management with the GEF IW Portfolio

Outputs

S Films screened at the film festival

Desired Outcomes

S Successful scientific and technical innovations and lessons from GEF IW project experience shared across the GEF IW Portfolio and replicated

WEDESDAY 11 MAY

Various Times

TECHNICAL SITE VISITS

Locations:

The technical site visit programme will feature tours to GEF IW projects and non-GEF water management projects under implementation, and to private sector facilities around the country.

Technical site visits will highlight a range of water management challenges faced by Sri Lanka, and traditional and new approaches to combat these water management challenges.

Tour options are available at: http://iwlearn.net/abt_iwlearn/events/conferences/iwc8-2016/iwc8-technical-site-visits

Session Goals

Objectives

S To showcase/observe local examples of good practices in water resources management

Desired Outcomes

S Local innovative approaches and best practices to water management are absorbed by GEF projects and utilized in project implementation

THURSDAY 12 MAY

0900-0915

REFLECTION VIDEO & EXPECTATIONS

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

A short video recapping Day 2 and Day 3 will be screened.

0915-1045

INTERACTIVE EVENT ON THE SDGs

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Ballroom

Session Coordinator: Christian Severin, GEF Secretariat

The SDGs represent an integrated, holistic vision for development at the global, national, local and individual levels. The GEF occupies a unique space in the global partnership for sustainable development and is well placed to support the vision embodied in the SDGs. The GEF supports efforts across multiple, interlinked global environment domains that are closely aligned with the SDGs on climate, oceans, marine resources, shared river and lake systems, terrestrial ecosystems, forests, biodiversity and land degradation. The GEF makes innovative, catalytic and integrated investments to achieve transformational change in food security, fresh water, energy, infrastructure, cities, sustainable consumption and production, and other areas. Our investments reduce threats to the global environment consistent with multilateral environmental agreements, while achieving a range of additional impacts, including poverty reduction, gender equality and good governance.

An interactive event will explore the linkages between GEF investments and the SDGs, in a highly participatory and informative way. Participants will be divided into roundtable groups. Participants will review the 17 provided SDG cards and read five short project descriptions. Participants will identify those SDGs that each of the GEF IW investments will deliver against.

Session Goals

Objectives

S To learn about the linkages between the GEF and the SDGs and how some of the SDGs will be particularly important for the GEF IW Portfolio to track

Desired Outcomes

S Increased understanding on how GEF funded activities help beneficiary countries to deliver against a suite of SDGs

1045-1115

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area

1115-1245

1.3 PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT FOR WATER STEWARDSHIP IN PRIORITY BASINS

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Pillar Chair: Adrian Ross, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)

Session Coordinator: Jay Sherman, World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF)

Speakers

(1) Jay Sherman, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

(2) Ali Hasnain Sayed, World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan (WWF)

The Alliance for Water Stewardship defines Water Stewardship as the use of water that is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial, achieved through a stakeholder-inclusive process that involves site and catchment-based actions. This session is focused on the fundamental strategies and techniques for engaging key corporations in water stewardship. Most companies are aware of the global water crisis, which challenges people and nature; but in cooperation with other stakeholders, government and non-governmental organizations they must act more broadly and deeply with water. Many companies are actively seeking partners to help them move forward to address their risks. These risks are greater than scarcity and include water supply and pollution issues, as well economic and reputation concerns.

Any serious effort to protect and restore a basin must include meaningful private sector engagement. As reflected above, water stewardship must transcend simple site-specific water efficiency. This session will examine the journey a company can take that evolves from simply understanding the global water crisis, to understanding its own particular risks, to setting internal goals, to engaging in collective action with other stakeholders, and finally, to working for policy change. Effective water stewardship will contribute to the achievement of numerous inter-related Sustainable Development Goals. The more the private sector understands comprehensive water stewardship on its own terms, the more it can scale its water-related investments appropriately. Finally, effective water stewardship that rises above the site-specific will have positive impacts from source to sea.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Participants learn why and how to partner with the private sector on water stewardship

Outputs

S Summary of the “WWF Water Stewardship Journey”, referencing key Water Stewardship Tools, sharing pertinent lessons from ongoing WWF private sector partnerships and soliciting experiences from the workshop participants. As a case study, WWF-Pakistan has introduced water stewardship in Pakistan as a measure to reduce impacts of socio-economic development on the Indus River while meeting the needs of society to grow sustainably. Increased use of water in business sector highlights that supply chains, linked to Indus Basin, are at risk for continued future operations. Participants will discuss how to make the business case to prospective corporate partners

Desired Outcomes

S Fundamentals of engaging the private sector strategically at the basin level are learned

S Lessons are shared between WWF and the other participants

S A foundation for the Private Sector Engagement Component of GEF IW:LEARN is established

S Basic resources and gaps are identified

S Key connections across sectoral and regional lines are made

S Private Sector leaders learn more about water stewardship that transcends water efficiency and helps address water challenges that they share with other stakeholders

2.3 CONJUNCTIVE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Pillar Chair: Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

Session Coordinators: Alice Aureli and Aurélien Dumont, UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP)

Speakers

(1) Aurélien Dumont, UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP)

(2) Mohamed Bazza, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

(3) Tracy Molefi, African Network of River Basin Organisation (ANBO)

(4) Abdelkader Dodo, Sahel and Sahara Observatory (Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS))

(5) Silvia Rafaeli, Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (CIC) for the La Plata Basin

(6) Norbert Fenzl, Amazon Cooperation Organization (ACTO)

(7) Jeremy Bird, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Moderated by Astrid Hillers, GEF Secretariat

This session will enhance awareness in the GEF System on groundwater issues, in particular groundwater governance and conjunctive surface and groundwater management. It will draw attention to the threats and opportunities linked to groundwater and subsurface space, and the need to integrate this fundamental resource and component of the natural environment into strategies and project design. The session responds to the GEF6 IW focal area strategic priority to focus support on more effective conjunctive management and sustainable use of transboundary surface and groundwater resources, together with associated ecosystems and the services they provide.

The session will include a main slot dedicated to interactively sharing the main results from the Groundwater Governance project and will include a panel on the theme “Conjunctive management on the ground: Experiences and future perspectives” with the participation of several project managers, and representatives of basin organizations and major international research centers. Discussions will address not only technical aspects but also institutional and legal aspects of combining the use of resources of different origins, which are particularly relevant in a transboundary context.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Raise awareness among project managers and participants on conjunctive water resources management.

S Explore innovative options to combine the use of surface water and groundwater, and other sources, for a cost-efficient use of and optimized services provided by the water resources, both for human and ecosystems.

Outputs

S A list of recommendations and principles based in particular on the experience of past projects.

S Needs identified by the participants to address in future projects, including institutional and legal aspects.

S A list of illustrative case studies identified.

Desired Outcomes

S Awareness raised by highlighting innovative concepts and options to combine water resources of different origin.

S Feedback shared by the project managers and participants on the successful experience of conjunctive water resources management.

S Awareness raised on the importance of legal and institutional aspects.

PILLAR 3.3a NAVIGATING THE JUNGLE OF INDICATORS I

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Pillar Chairs: Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Julian Barbière, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Session Coordinators: Sarah Freeman, World Wildlife Fund (WWF); Peter Bjørnsen and Maija Bertule, UN Environment Programme-DHI; Johanna Polsenberg, Conservation International; Jill Raval, UN Environment Programme

Moderated by Michael Akester, UN Office for Project Services

Much work has been done to develop indicators in order to understand and characterize freshwater and marine systems. Well-selected indicators are a key component of successful monitoring frameworks as well as measuring progress toward targets set nationally and globally (e.g. to track progress towards the SDG for Water). However, with the proliferation of these indicators, selection of the right set for the specific context can be a daunting task.

This interactive session will guide participants through indicator prioritization and selection. In the process, participants will be introduced to a number of planning steps and tools to assist the process.

The session will be followed by Part II in the afternoon, synthesizing the outcomes of Part I, and looking at management tools, frameworks and best practices surrounding indicator use. These will be exemplified by experiences and success stories in coastal zone and marine resource management, bringing together the various scales of decision-making and management.

Session Goals

Objectives

S To share and synthesize best practices for the use or indicators in strategic planning

S To provide hands on experience with novel approaches to identify and select indicators for strategic planning and management applications

Outputs

S Feedback on approaches for indicator prioritization and selection

S Discussion of current best practices and challenges in indicator selection and use in planning and management

S Reflections on the opportunities for use of indicators in the TDA/SAP process

Desired Outcomes

S Increased understanding of the needs and challenges of practitioners in using indicators

S Increased understanding of processes and tools for prioritizing and selecting indictors

S Increased interest in the use of indicators in TDA/SAP

S Increased acknowledgment of the role of indicators in both tracking progress to goals and in motivating and streamlining action toward these goals

1245-1430

LUNCH & SIDE EVENTS

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel

Presentation: Global Groundwater Governance Project

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Session Coordinator: Mohamed Bazza, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

An informal lunch gathering to continue discussions on how to enhance groundwater governance and the conjunctive management of surface and groundwater and to achieve the SDGs related to water and others sectors interlinked with groundwater. The linkages of groundwater both within the water-cycle and with sectors other than water are multiple and complex. In terms of challenges, groundwater may be stressing the activities of these sectors or be stressed by them, while at the same time it contributes fundamentally to achieving benefits in many of them. Good groundwater governance implies that these interconnections and stresses are recognized and that the corresponding interdependencies are taken into account in groundwater management. Similarly, it is important to identify how potential interactions with groundwater can be factored into the policies and programs of these other sectors. Considering these independencies would have significant implications for achieving the SDGs related both to water and to these sectors. The event, in the form of informal table discussion, will be interactive, forward looking and geared towards responding to the interests of participants. It will evolves around themes such as Groundwater and SDGs; Groundwater and Costal Aquifers; Groundwater, Food Security and Poverty Reduction; Groundwater and Ecosystems, etc.

The Groundwater Governance- A Global Framework for Action has been jointly implemented over the past three years through a partnership comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO IHP), the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), the World Bank (WB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project aim was to raise global awareness on the urgent need for improved groundwater governance, to set the foundations for a global response to this new challenge, and to catalyze the necessary action. The project culminated with the production of a ‘‘Global Diagnostic on Groundwater Governance’’, which gives a synopsis of groundwater governance in its geographic diversity and highlights issues that are most relevant as steps are taken towards improved groundwater governance; a “Shared Global Vision for Groundwater Governance 2030” which points to much needed improvements in groundwater governance to meet global demands for water and protect the integrity of aquifers; and a “Framework for Action to achieve the Vision” designed to raise political awareness of the issues and promote key policy messages to advance governance approaches that can sustain the set of groundwater and aquifer services. In addition the Framework aims to focus investments through the governance lens in order to generate a set of global benefits. For additional information, consult: http://www.groundwatergovernance.org

Presentation: MedPartnership and ClimVar

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Session Coordinator: Lorenzo Galbiati, UN Environment Programme - Mediterannean Action Plan (UNEP-MAP)

This lunch event will feature four short presentations on:

(1) General information and summary of the results achieved by the MedPartnership and ClimVar projects

(2) The Coastal Aquifers Vulnerability mapping and the Coastal Aquifer Supplement to TDA-MED

(3) The Integrated Methodological Framework (IMF) for the establishment of plans for sustainable management of the environment continuum constituted by the coastal zone, the river basin and coastal aquifers

(4) The activities related to the PCB management (training, workshops) and a video on PCB

1430-1600

PILLAR 3.3b NAVIGATING THE JUNGLE OF INDICATORS II

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Pillar Chairs: Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Julian Barbière, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Moderated by Michael Akester, UN Office for Project Services

This session will build on the interactive exercises and discussions initiated during Navigating the Jungle of Indicators I. It will synthesize the findings of the morning session through reflecting on participant and expert experiences related to collaboratively establishing targets and goals across scales, as well as selecting indicators that can be used to measure status and progress toward those targets. The session will highlight successful management tools and frameworks surrounding indicator use for resource management and strategic planning, looking at examples of best practices in river basin and marine/coastal zone domains.

An expert group of panelists will share their experiences and best practices for target setting, indicator selection, and how to overcome some of the related technical and political obstacles. Participants will then be asked to help explore experiences of best practices in the use indicators in strategic planning processes such as the TDA/SAP.

Session Goals

Objectives

S To share and synthesize best practices for the use or indicators in strategic planning

S To provide hands on experience with novel approaches to identify and select indicators for strategic planning and management applications

Outputs

S Feedback on approaches for indicator prioritization and selection

S Discussion of current best practices and challenges in indicator selection and use in planning and management

S Reflections on the opportunities for use of indicators in the TDA/SAP process

Desired Outcomes

S Increased understanding of processes and tools for prioritizing and selecting indictors

S Increased interest in the use of indicators in TDA/SAP

S Increased acknowledgment of role of indicators in both tracking progress to goals and in motivating and streamlining action towards goals these goals

S Increased understanding of the needs and challenges of practitioners in using indicators

2.4 SUSTAINING REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN LME, GROUNDWATER AND FRESHWATER

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Pillar Chair: Ivan Zavadsky, International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR)

Session Coordinators: Francesca Bernardini and Sonja Koeppel, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

Speakers

(1) Lenka Thamae, Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM):

(2) Ebenezario Chonguica, Okavango River Commission

(3) Hashali Hamkuaya, Benguela Current Commission (BCC)

(4) Ylber Mirta, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning

(5) Abdelkader Dodo, Sahel and Sahara Observatory (Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS))

(6) Francesca Bernardini, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

(7) Astrid Hillers, GEF Secretariat

(8) Tracy Molefi, African Network of River Basin Organisation (ANBO)

Shared water ecosystems such as transboundary rivers, lakes, groundwaters and large marine ecosystems face many challenges, such as pollution, competing uses and overexploitation, climate change impacts, etc. and continue to be degraded in many parts of the world. The establishment of agreements and institutions is a prerequisite to ensure continuous long-term cooperation to address these challenges. However, more than 60% of transboundary basins are missing an agreement to sustain cooperation and many existing agreements are not suited to tackle the complex water issues. Global legal agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes as well as the Unites Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses provide general rules and principles for cooperation. They facilitate the establishment of regional and basin agreements and the creation of institutions for coordinated management thereby contributing to more sustainable management of shared ecosystems.

GEF has been an agent of change in many cases, for example with support for Large Marine Ecosystems towards establishment of legal and institutional frameworks or through legally binding Protocols to regional seas conventions that promote national ICM laws and support for local ICM. When agreements and institutions are missing, GEF interventions provide a strong basis for their development and future work. However, in other cases, GEF International Water project interventions are not sustained, among others due to the lack of legal and institutional frameworks to implement the outcomes and recommendations of GEF projects. The session will review good practices, challenges and barriers for sustaining project interventions in shared marine, freshwater as well as groundwater ecosystems and analyse which factors can facilitate setting up of independent and financially sustainable institutions for sustaining GEF project interventions and improving the status of degraded shared ecosystems. It will also consider the role of the above-mentioned global legal agreements and Conventions in this respect.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Draw lessons on sustaining GEF project interventions through regional and basin-wide institutional and legal arrangements

Outputs

S Good practices, challenges and barriers for improving sustainability of GEF projects through global, regional and basin wide institutions and agreements and recommendations for the future

Desired Outcomes

S Better understanding of pre-requisites, drivers, mechanisms, factors, tools, approaches and good practices for setting up of sustainable regional and basin-wide agreements and efficient institutions

3.4 GENDER EQUALITY FOR IMPROVED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: CONNECTING SDG5 AND SDG6

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom A

Pillar Chairs: Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Julian Barbière, UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (UNESCO-IOC)

Session Coordinators: Michela Miletto and Lucilla Minelli, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); Sarah Davidson, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Speakers

(1) Li Lifeng, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

(2) Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

(3) H.E. Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, Minister, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, Sri Lanka (TBD)

(4) Lesha Witmer, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

(5) Christian Severin, GEF Secretariat

(6) Isabelle Vanderbeck, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

(7) Akiko Yamamoto, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

(8) Lucilla Minelli, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

(9) Chris O’Brien, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

(10) Kusum Athukorala, NetWwater/ Sri Lanka Water Partnership

(11) Tehmina Akhtar, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

(12) Youssef Filali Meknassi, UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP)

(13) Alfred Duda, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (moderator)

There is a growing consensus on the reasons why gender should be particularly mainstreamed in the water realm: evidence-based data trace a direct relation between women’s active involvement and training in water management and consequent improvement of livelihoods. Moreover, it is now widely understood that women are primary stakeholders in the water and sanitation sectors and that men and women typically express different priorities, uses, and needs for water and sanitation. Overall, gender analysis is an essential lens for understanding the provision, management, and conservation of the world’s water resources. Investing in gender mainstreaming in water programs is well justified, because even though gender sensitive water analysis is more complex compared to gender-blind action, it represents a step forward toward the realization of the SDGs and post-2015 agenda.

The workshop will provide theoretical and practical tools for gender mainstreaming in GEF IW projects, laying down the foundations for the activities that will be implemented throughout the duration of the IW:LEARN4 Project. A panel discussion will review selected examples of gender mainstreaming strategies of GEF and GEF Agencies in view of feeding the TDA process and tailoring these approaches to IW needs and the GEF 6 IW strategy. A series of presentations will discuss methodologies for collecting sex-disaggregated data and indicators (the WWAP Gender Toolkit) while potential applications of these tools will be the focus of an interactive discussion with project representatives and the audience.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Making the case for gender mainstreaming in project activities related to water resources management and clarifying the connections between SDG 5 and SDG 6

S Engage the session participants to identify how the component knowledge products may effectively address user needs for gender mainstreaming in the IW portfolio at national, regional and global scales

Outputs

S Audience feedback and recommendations on sex-disaggregated data analysis

S Audience suggestions on concrete applications of gender mainstreaming approaches in project design and execution (type of interactions and results envisaged from this gender component of IW:LEARN4)

Desired Outcomes

S Increased awareness of the need for collecting water data disaggregated by sex

S Enhanced knowledge of project managers and partners about how to apply selected tools, approaches and indicators to improve water management and the empowerment

Obtain detailed agenda at session.

1600-1630

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area

1630-1800

ECONOMIC VALUATION

Location: Jetwing Ballroom A

Session Coordinators: Christian Susan, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); Eduard Interwies, InterSus

The concept of Ecosystem Services (ES), and the Economic Valuation (EV) of these ES, aims at shrinking the information and knowledge gap by trying to provide numbers—monetary numbers—that reflect the “true value” of ecosystems and natural resources, which are usually regarded as free and taken for granted. EV assesses both the immediate economic gains (benefits) of ecosystems, such as raw materials, food and clean water (provisioning services or direct and indirect use values), but also the benefits that are often difficult to evaluate in monetary terms, such as landscape beauty, optional use for future generations, and existence of biodiversity (optional values and non-use values).

The participants of the 7th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC7) (Barbados: 26-31 October 2013) specified the possible role of economic valuation for the GEF IW portfolio in stating that "economic valuation is a useful tool that can support improved decision-making and guide institutional framework development, influence allocation of financial resources and investments, raise awareness of various impacts in shared water systems, and ultimately lead to better governance of transboundary waters".

In spite of the potential importance of EV in the TDA/SAP Process, in the GEF IW portfolio only a handful of projects have made use of Economic Valuation to-date. The tool has not been used in a systematic or widespread manner, although some of the planned projects are planning to work on valuation issues.

Therefore, the GEF IW:LEARN4 has a specific sub-component dedicated to integrating Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services into the TDA/SAP process and providing training activities in order to enable projects to conduct their own valuation of ecosystem services in transboundary surface/groundwater and LMEs.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Provide a brief introduction to the economic valuation concept and the relevant outcomes of IWC7

S Present the relevant initiated activities of GEF IW:LEARN 4

S Provide examples of economic valuation conducted so far in both marine and freshwater ecosystems

S Introduce the assessment of economic benefits of transboundary cooperation

S Discuss current/planned economic valuation activities in GEF-projects and establish the links to the GEF IW:LEARN-economic valuation activities

Outputs

S Better understanding of the use and advantages/challenges of economic valuation

S Update regarding current/planned activities regarding economic valuation in GEF-projects

S Initiation of practical links between GEF IW:LEARN 4 economic valuation activities and specific GEF-projects

Desired Outcomes

S Heightened interest in economic valuation activities in GEF-projects

S Increased linkages between current/planned economic valuation activities in GEF-projects and initiated activities of GEF IW:LEARN 4

S Increased awareness regarding the relevant initiated activities of GEF IW:LEARN 4

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING ROUNDTABLE

Location: Jetwing Beach Conference Room

Session Coordinators: Christopher Cox, UN Environment Programme (UNEP); Chuck Chaitovitz, Global Environment Technology Foundation (GETF)

The training is divided into two sessions: (1) Monday 9 May 2016 from 1300 to 1630—preconference technical training on source impact modeling and the Global Nutrient Management Toolbox; and (2) Thursday 12 May 2016 from 1630 to 1800—panel discussion on translating science to policy in the context of achieving the SDGs.

See session description on page 2.

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IN COASTAL AREAS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom B

Session Coordinator: Merete Tandstad, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Speakers

(1) Kwame Koranteng, EAF-Nansen Project: Developing capacity for EAF management

(2) Birane Sambe, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): A regional management framework for the small pelagic fisheries off Northwest Africa

(3) Rudolf Hermes, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Demonstrated use of MPAs in fisheries management and the small-scale fisheries guidelines

Coastal fisheries—defined as all fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of coastal countries—are of global importance as a basis of food and nutrition security and livelihoods, particularly in developing countries. Coastal fisheries also provide a range of economic opportunities and benefits. It is estimated that the marine fisheries sector employs over 60 million people—both fishers and postharvest fish workers. Some 85 percent of these are small-scale fishers and fish workers primarily operating in coastal waters in developing countries. Coastal fisheries contribute about 85 percent of the roughly 80 million tonnes of fish produced annually from marine capture fisheries. At the same time coastal fisheries worldwide face serious challenges, as many are being exploited beyond biological or economic optimum levels. Fisheries constitute one of the key issues in most Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs), as identified in many of the TDAs and subsequently become important elements of most of the associated SAPs. GEF has also recognized the importance of coastal fisheries, and thus agreed to support the Coastal Fisheries Initiative as a complement to the LME approach.

This session will focus on some of the key approaches and tools available to support sustainable fisheries management today, and which are of high relevance to GEF IW projects in particular. Available instruments and tools will be presented, as well as their demonstrated implementation on the ground in an IW context. The session will discuss the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries—addressing the three dimensions of sustainable management of fisheries, ecological, human and governance—and how these are linked to a wider ecosystem approach in an LME context. It will examine how area-based management tools, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), are used for fisheries management, and demonstrate the principles of human-based approaches through the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication. Finally, the session will look at the importance of knowledge generation and capacity development to strengthen management of coastal fisheries.

In the introduction to the session all participants will be made aware of the key concepts and approaches. Subsequently, case studies from the Bay of Bengal LME project, the Canary Current LME and the EAF-Nansen project will demonstrate how these concepts have been integrated into management systems. Lessons learned from managing bycatch, co-management and participatory monitoring will be integrated, and the concepts of the CFI explained through short communications. The session will conclude with a moderated discussion session where advice will be sought from the IW community on how these approaches and tools could help other countries and regions achieve sustainable fisheries. It will also seek to enhance knowledge generation and knowledge exchanges across regions on the use of these tools and approaches.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Familiarize participants with key instruments and tools for holistic biodiversity and human inclusive fisheries management and how these can be beneficial in a larger ecosystem frameworks

S Demonstrate the uptake of tools and approaches in the context of IW activities

S Share experiences of knowledge generation and capacity development for ecosystem-based management of coastal resources

Outputs

S Recommendations on how GEF can build upon ongoing efforts and further strengthen its work to address fisheries in the context of IW activities

Desired Outcomes

S Increased awareness regarding fisheries aspects in the management of coastal areas and beyond

S Integration and uptake of demonstrated fisheries tools and approaches by other members of the IW community

1800-1900

THE WATER ROOMS

Location: Jetwing Blue Ballroom

Session Coordinators: Lucilla Minelli and Michela Miletto, UNESCO-World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

Where does water come from? Will we run out of it? Who decides how much water we can use? Is there something we can do? In order to “connecting the dots” and enhancing the understanding of the general public on how we use and manage our freshwater resources, the United Nations World Water Assessment Programme (UN WWAP) of UNESCO together with its Partners produced a unique project called “The Water Rooms”.

“The Water Rooms” consists of a visionary and inspirational itinerary of 5 short animated movies intertwined by 5 monologues that trigger interest and encourage learning about freshwater resources and their responsible management in the context of sustainable development. The itinerary revolves around the leitmotiv “discover, understand and change”. In the first two “rooms” we discover the physical movement and distribution of water; in the third and fourth “rooms” we understand how the resource is connected with socioeconomic issues, environmental aspects, and how it depends on decision-making processes; in the fifth and last “room” we look at water as a potential source of conflict/cooperation, while being confronted with the individual choices and options for change that will determine how our future will look like.

The Water Rooms” builds on the findings of the United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR) 2015 “Water for a Sustainable World”. The initiative inaugurates a new outreach approach in WWAP’s strategy aiming at enhancing the dissemination of the messages of the WWDRs and exemplifying the complex interlinkages between water and food, energy, environment and development, and the competing uses – and users – of this precious resource.

FRIDAY 13 MAY

0930-1030

DEPARTURE AND TRANSIT TO COLOMBO VENUE

Location: Jetwing Blue Hotel Pre-Function Area à Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo

1100-1130

HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT

Location: Taj Samudra Ballroom

Master of Ceremonies: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

A short video recapping Day 4 will be screened.

S Opening ceremonies

S Remarks, Naoko Ishii, Global Environment Facility CEO and Chairperson

S Remarks, Government of Sri Lanka

This event is open to media.

1130-1200

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Venue

Innovation Marketplace Review

High-Level participant Interviews

1200-1330

VIEWS FROM PARTICIPATING COUNTRY POLICYMAKERS ON ACHIEVING WATER, OCEAN AND RELATED SDGs

Location: Taj Samudra Ballroom

Session Coordinators: Mish Hamid, GEF IW:LEARN

Master of Ceremonies: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

Session Facilitator: Vladimir Mamaev, UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Visionary Remarks: Andrew Hudson, UN Development Programme (UNDP) [Video] [Video + Presentation]

GEF IW projects are built upon country-driven processes and dialogues that lead to ward transboundary cooperation. Legal and institutional frameworks, but particularly national policies and regulations help drive what gets achieved in GEF IW project implementation. This session will engage high-level government representatives of the GEF IW project community on the question of what GEF IW projects can achieve at the country-level in terms of achieving the SDGs. Policymakers will be queried on what, in their experience, is relevant for projects to pursue in terms of policymaker engagement and facilitating the processes and dialogues that will result in SDG achievement.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Discuss and convey means on how GEF IW projects can facilitate policies and regulatory frameworks, at the national level, which contribute to the achievement of the SDGs

Outputs

S List of recommendations from the panel discussion

Desired Outcomes

S GEF IW projects pursue strategies to achieve SDGs at the country-level based on the recommendations

1330-1500

25YEARS | GEF LUNCHEON

Location: Taj Samudra Hotel

1500-1630

REPORTING BACK: CROSSCUTTING AND THEMATIC LEARNING WORKING GROUPS

Location: Taj Samudra Ballroom

Session Coordinators: Mish Hamid and Taylor Henshaw, GEF IW:LEARN

Session Facilitator: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

In this session the Crosscutting and Thematic Learning Working Group (pillar) chairs and session coordinators will report key messages from their respective tracks back to the plenary.

Pillar 1: Catalyzing Transformation and Scaling Up Project Investments

1.1 Mobilizing Finance and Scaling up Investments: Good Practices Toward Meeting the SDGs

1.2 Promoting Transformational Change in Major Global Industries

1.3 Private Sector Engagement for Water Stewardship in Priority Basins

Pillar 2: Strengthening Governance Processes to Sustain Project Interventions

2.1 Governance and Management of Resources in a Source to Sea Continuum–Challenges and Opportunities

2.2 Water Cooperation Across Levels: Incorporating Tools for Change in the SAP Process

2.3 Conjunctive Management of Water Resources

2.4 Sustaining Regional Institutions in LME, Groundwater and Freshwater

Pillar 3: Data to Policy

3.1 Transboundary Waters: Status and Trends

3.2 Modern Data and Tools for International Waters

3.3 Navigating the Jungle of Indicators I

3.3 Navigating the Jungle of Indicators II

3.4 Gender Equality for Improved Water Resource Management: Connecting SDG5 and SDG6

Session Goals

Objectives

S Participants receive key messages from the pillar track sessions running in parallel to those pillar track sessions they attended

Outputs

S Messages transmitted via the conference report

Desired Outcomes

S GEF IW stakeholders utilize the key messages in the implementation of their affiliated projects

S Key messages inform GEF7 programming

1630-1700

BREAK: NETWORKING, REFRESHMENTS & INNOVATION MARKETPLACE REVIEW

Location: Taj Samudra Hotel

1700-1800

LOOKING AHEAD: THE CLOSING PLENARY

Location: Taj Samudra Ballroom

Session Coordinator: Christian Severin, GEF Secretariat

Session Facilitator: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

The closing plenary will feature reflections on the IWC8 and the take-home messages from the conference’s principal sessions.

The implications of these messages in the context of future implementation of GEF projects and GEF7 programming will be discussed. Reflections and discussion will center on a GEF IW stakeholder forum, which will include Q&A with the audience and GEF IW stakeholders via video and online platforms.

Session Goals

Objectives

S Communication of the implication of conference key messaging in the context of future implementation of GEF projects and GEF programming

Outputs

S Messages transmitted via the conference report

Desired Outcomes

S GEF IW stakeholders utilize the key messages in the implementation of their affiliated projects

S GEF7 programming informed by key messages

1800-1830

Innovation Marketplace Review Teardown

TRANSFER TO 25YEARS | GEF IW CELEBRATION

Location: Venue à Park Street Mews, Colombo

1830-2130

25YEARS | GEF IW CELEBRATION

Location: Park Street Mews, Colombo

Master of Ceremonies: Manolo Clar Massanet, PM&E

Awards Ceremony

Regional Farewell Drink

Transfer of Conference Cup

2130-2230

DEPARTURE AND TRANSIT TO NEGOMBO VENUE

Location: Park Street Mews à Jetwing Blue Hotel

END OF CONFERENCE

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