Date and time: 23-26 September 2024 in Punta del Este, Uruguay, Pre-conference workshops will take place on 21-22 September 2024 in Montevideo.
Organiser: The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) together with:
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC),
- & other partners on behalf of the GEF International Waters (IW) project portfolio.
Language: English
The 2024 IWC resumes after 6 years, in its 10th edition, hosted by the Government of Uruguay, in Punta del Este, under the theme: "Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs: The GEF IW response to the global challenge". It brings together more than 300 participants, including GEF IW project managers, institutional stakeholders from beneficiary countries, non-governmental and civil society organisations, transboundary and regional management institutions, UN agencies, Development Banks and Intergovernmental Organisations, and the private sector.
GWP participates in various sessions and with a Booth on-site.
GWP delegation:
- Dimitris Faloutsos, Deputy Regional Coordinator, Thematic Lead: Transboundary, WEFE Nexus, and Environment
GWP Southern Africa: -
Andrew Takawira, Senior Technical Advisor, GWP Southern Africa
-
Dr Loreen Katiyo, Transboundary Water Governance and Environment Specialist
-
Dr Eddie Ridell, Regional Coordinator, UNDP-GEF Limpopo Project
-
Elisha Madamombe, Regional Project Coordinator, GEF-BUPUSA Project
-
Shamiso Kumbirai, Chief of Staff and Investments Specialist, GWP Southern Africa
-
Silvanus Uunona, Regional Coordinator, UNDP-GEF CuvKun Project
-
Kizito Sikuka, Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist, UNDP- GEF Limpopo Project
GWP's programme:
21 September:
- Pre-Conference Workshop: Project Management for GEF International Waters Projects
Date: 21 September 2024
Time: 09:00 – 18:00 GMT-3
Location: CAF Office, Montevideo, Uruguay
This hands-on workshop aims to enhance the capacity of project managers, with a focus on practical strategies for successful project execution and delivery.
Moderated by Vladimir Mamaev (UNDP), the workshop will feature contributions from seasoned GEF IW managers such as Lorenzo Galbiati (FAO), Mary Matthews (UNDP), and Dimitris Faloutsos (GWP), among others. The session will cover:
Project Fundamentals: Cycle, design requirements, and adaptive management.
Knowledge Management & Communications: Effective strategies and best practices.
Stakeholder Engagement & Financial Arrangements: Essential techniques for successful partnerships and budget management.
The workshop will include interactive breakout sessions, providing attendees the opportunity to ask questions directly to experts and gain practical insights tailored to their projects.
Key Objectives:- Strengthen understanding of GEF IW project processes and execution.
- Share best practices and on-the-ground experiences.
- Enhance stakeholder engagement and knowledge management.
23 September:
- Theme B: Achieving Policy Coherence from Source-to-Sea
Date: 23 September 2024
Time: 14.00 - 15.30 GMT-3
Organiser: UNEP & WWF
Language: English
This session will introduce the source-to-sea concept, its benefits and opportunities for achieving policy coherence. It will also discuss challenges and provide perspectives as well as share concrete examples and good practices from the freshwater and marine community of projects and partners promoting a holistic source-to-sea management approach, across sectoral and administrative boundaries, bringing together upstream and downstream stakeholders to ensure healthy ecosystems and resilient societies.
Panellists:- Isabelle Vanderbeck (UNEP)
- Sarah Davidson and Jacquelyn Beatie (WWF)
25 September:
- IW Clinic on Tools and Solutions: How to develop sustainable legal and institutional arrangements for transboundary water cooperation
Date: Wednesday 25 September 2024
Time: 14:00-15:30 GMT-3
Organizers: UNECE and GWPSA
Language: English
This session will present how the Practical guide for the development of agreements or other arrangements for transboundary water cooperation, developed under the United Nations (UN) Water Convention, can support countries and RBOs in establishing, improving and strengthening legal agreements, enhancing transboundary water cooperation and management. Complementarities and synergies between support provided under the Water Convention and GEF International Waters will be explored, drawing from the lessons learned from the Management of Competing Water Uses and Associated Ecosystems in Pungwe, Buzi, and Save Basins (GEF- BUPUSA) project(executed by GWPSA), whichproject facilitated the finalisation of the negotiations that led to the establishment of the Buzi, Pungwe, and Save Watercourses Commission BUPUSACOM, launched in July 2023.
Speakers & Respponding Member States
-
- Lucia de Strasser (UNECE)
- Elisha Madamombe (GWPSA)
- Ana Isabel Fotine Mponda (Mozambique)
- Gilbert Mawere (Zimbabwe)
Learn more about the Conference: https://iwlearn.net/events/conferences/iwc10-2024