International Waters Conference in Sri Lanka kicks off on Monday

The eighth Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC) will be held in Sri Lanka from 9 to 13 May with representatives from over 80 countries. The week-long conference themed ‘Scaling Up Investments from Source to Sea in the Context of Achieving the SDGs’, is jointly organised by the GEF, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). IWC held for the first time Sri Lanka, will be graced by President Maithripala Sirisena and GEF CEO and Chairperson Dr. Naoko Ishii.

Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Secretary Udaya Senevirathne, GEF International Waters Focal Area Sr. Environmental Specialist Christian Severin and UNDP Country Director Joern Soerensen joined a briefing to inform the media about the upcoming conference.

Speaking to the press, Secretary Udaya Senevirathne noted, “Safeguarding and managing our water resources remain a priority for the President, who oversees this portfolio and with his guidance, we are keen to partner with GEF and UNDP to host this conference in Sri Lanka for the first time.” Speaking further he noted, “The conference will provide the international practitioners the opportunity to learn about good water management practices, coastal zone management, protected areas and alternative livelihoods in Sri Lanka.”

The conference is expected to bring 250 foreign delegates, including government ministers from Seychelles, Maldives and representatives of GEF beneficiary countries, non-governmental organisations, transboundary waters management institutions, United Nations Agencies, GEF International Waters project managers and staff, and the international private sector. Over 80 countries will be represented at the conference.

UNDP Country Director Joern Soerensen speaking at the event noted, “With the new global development commitments in mind, IWC organised under the theme Scaling Up Investments from Source to Sea in the Context of Achieving the SDGs will be very important. Especially as it will look at two SDGs – ensure access to water and sanitation for all and conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources – with learning tracks devoted to catalysing transformation and scaling up investments; strengthening governance processes to sustain project interventions; and data to policy.”

The GEF Biennial International Waters Conference is the signature learning event for the GEF International Waters portfolio of projects. The IWC objectives are to facilitate cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide learning and experience sharing. Participants sum up progress achieved and also look to the future of programming within and beyond the GEF International Waters focal area.

Speaking at the briefing, GEF International Waters Focal Area Sr. Environmental Specialist Christian Severin noted, “This eighth IWC will represent about 70 active GEF International Waters projects and will strive to solicit advice from the existing GEF International Waters portfolio on burning issues related to international waters management, and to assist in building participant capacity in key management and technical areas.” 

Further, Christian Severin said, “At this conference we are proud to celebrate 25 years anniversary of the GEF and the International Waters Focal Area. With a GEF International Waters portfolio consisting of 242 projects with a portfolio amounting to a total of $ 10 billion in combined GEF and co-financing, the GEF International Waters will continue to deliver substantial results and impacts on the local, national and regional level.” The GEF, as the largest financier of cooperation in shared waters systems, occupies a unique space in the international sphere to facilitate countries delivery towards a suite of the SDGs, with a specific focus of SDG 6 and 14, in the process leading to sustainable management of shared aquifers, lakes, rivers, Large Marine Ecosystems and Open Oceans.