🌍 Inspiration and Collaboration at the 10th GEF International Waters Conference (IWC10)
As the CTA for the GEF IW Transboundary CMDA project, it was a privilege to bring our unique perspective to the IWC10 in Uruguay, where we joined over 300 delegates worldwide. The conference, themed 'Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs,' was a platform for international experts to address urgent global water challenges, and we were honoured for our project to have an opportunity to participate in this discourse.
The IUCN delegation at IWC10 also featured staff and government partners from two of our key Southeast Asia initiatives: the Song Ma/Ca GEF IW Project and the CMDA Project. Together, we explored practical solutions to our region’s transboundary water challenges. The conference provided a unique opportunity for our teams to deepen our understanding of international best practices, particularly in sustainable water management. By engaging with other global transboundary water projects, we are better positioned to develop and implement lasting solutions that address the shared water needs of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. This knowledge-sharing environment is instrumental as we move toward real, sustainable solutions for managing our vital water resources.
There’s an exhilarating, organic power in the meeting of diverse minds, cultures, and experiences at global conferences like this—together, they weave the fabric of transformation in transboundary water management.
Our CMDA team participated in hands-on workshops on project management, communications, and sustainable finance at IWC10. These engagements provided us with valuable insights to enhance our project’s impact in the Lower Mekong Basin, and our presence at the conference significantly contributed to the exchange of innovative solutions and strategies among professionals working on transboundary water projects.
A highlight of the conference was supporting the FAO booth at IWLearn, where we shared insights from the Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia GEF projects. This provided a valuable opportunity to connect with our implementing partners and explore potential collaborations. Networking throughout the event has been an essential step in strengthening efforts for global groundwater management, to which we remain fully committed.
#WaterSecurity #TransboundaryWater #GroundwaterManagement #SustainableDevelopment #IWC10 #GEF #IUCN #Cambodia #Vietnam #CMDA #WGA #H2alluvium
The Cambodia–Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA) Project is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Lead Executing Agency, with UNESCO and MERFI as Executing Partners, in collaboration with the Governments of Viet Nam and Cambodia.