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Three decades of transboundary water management with the Global Environment Facility

Por IW:LEARN

20 de September de 2024

“Water does not resist. Water flows.

When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress.

Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you.

But water always goes where it wants to go,

and nothing in the end can stand against it.”

– Margaret Atwood, “The Penelopiad”

Margaret Atwood’s words, "Water does not resist. Water flows... water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it," capture the paradox of water’s nature—gentle yet unyielding, fluid yet forceful. It can not be restrained, and it cannot be confined within borders. This metaphor reflects the complexities of managing transboundary waters and their ecosystems —rivers, lakes, aquifers, ocean, freshwater, and marine ecosystems and their resources.

They can all traverse political boundaries. Shared water systems number over 300 transboundary watersheds, 263 shared lakes and rivers, 300 aquifers, and 66 large marine ecosystems, interconnecting nations, cultures, and communities in a web that is as essential as it is fragile. Increasing pressures, including pollution, climate change, over-exploitation, and mismanagement, do not recognize borders. As these pressures intensify, innovative, cooperative governance strategies become imperative.

Three decades of transboundary water management with the Global Environment Facility

For the past thirty years, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been at the forefront of efforts to address these transboundary water challenges. GEF has become a key player in enabling and fostering transboundary cooperation and shared freshwater and marine ecosystems. GEF’s International Waters Portfolio is a testament to the efficacy of multilateral cooperation and adaptive management. The GEF's approach transcends funding and projects; it focuses on building networks of trust, fostering cooperation, and driving collective action among diverse stakeholders—governments, scientists, and local communities alike. This collaborative approach has been critical in transforming best practices into standard practices.

The GEF's International Waters strategy is grounded in a pragmatic recognition that, in the absence of a binding global convention on governance of international waters, a more flexible, trust-based model is required. $3 billion in GEF IW grants invested, and $19 billion in co-financing have been mobilized in a portfolio of 470 IW projects, across 157 countries. This model of cooperation provides a compelling alternative to promote effective governance of transboundary waters, through proper policies, regulatory frameworks and most importantly via fostering a culture of collaboration that acknowledges the interconnected nature of our most vital resources.

GEF International Water Conferences since 2000. Photo: IW:LEARN.

The International Waters Conferences have been the beating heart of this 30-year GEF IW endeavor. Starting in Budapest in 2000, each IWC has brought together various stakeholders—project counterparts, government representatives, NGOs, academia, and private sector partners—to exchange ideas, share experiences, and forge new partnerships. These gatherings have evolved from a concept into a tradition, uniting voices from across the globe in a joint mission to protect our water resources, guiding us forward while reflecting on the challenges, achievements, and lessons learned.

The IWCs have been a learning, sharing, and collective action journey. The relationships forged, the knowledge shared, and the commitments made at these conferences have rippled out across the globe, leading to a positive impact on the ground.

Looking back at the first IWC in Budapest in 2000, it's clear that the seeds of a remarkable process were planted. There was a palpable sense of urgency and optimism as participants discussed integrated water resources management and began to chart a path forward. Keynote speakers reminded us that "water knows no frontiers" and that our collective responsibility transcends national borders. The call for enhanced communication, increased participation from all sectors, and the need to align global initiatives with national capacities set the tone for the work that would follow.

In the years since, each IW conference builds on the past one, and knowledge, innovation, and collaboration are discussed to address environmental and geopolitical challenges that demand new forms of cooperation that can adapt to the fluid dynamics of our shared water systems. From Dalian to Salvador, from Cape Town to Cairns, the IWCs have tackled the most pressing issues of the times—gender equality in water governance, impacts of climate change, integration of scientific knowledge into policy, and the critical need for sustainable financing. These conferences were a safe space to exchange ideas and expertise and to drive tangible outcomes that have improved lives and sustained ecosystems worldwide.

Dr. Kenneth Sherman during IWC6 at Dubrovnik, Croatia in 2011. Photo: IW:LEARN.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the International Waters Conference is its ability to adapt and respond to the evolving challenges facing our global water resources. Each gathering has reflected the growing complexity of these issues.

In Cairns, Australia, in 2009, for example, the focus on gender marked a significant shift in how we approach water governance. Recognizing the crucial role that women play in water management at both the community and policy levels, the conference set the stage for more inclusive and equitable decision-making processes. This focus on gender mainstreaming has played an important role in GEF’s work, ensuring that the benefits of water management efforts are shared more broadly and equitably.

IWC7 in Barbados in 2013 brought attention to the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), highlighting the disproportionate impacts of climate change on these nations. Discussions on rising sea levels, saline intrusion, and the economic challenges faced by SIDS alerted the urgent need for appropriate approaches to water management in these regions. The emphasis on economic valuation as a tool to bridge the science-policy gap was prominent, as it can help align environmental protection with economic development—a critical balance for many developing nations.

The emphasis on economic valuation as a tool to bridge the science-policy gap was particularly prescient, as it helped align environmental protection with economic development—a critical balance for many developing nations

The 9th International Waters Conference (IWC9), held in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2018, highlighted the value of collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches to managing transboundary waters. By focusing on integrating science into actionable policies, showcasing innovative tools, and emphasizing the importance of partnerships, the conference laid a strong foundation for future work.

Group picture during IWC9 at Marrakech, Morocco in 2018. Photo: IW:LEARN.

As we look ahead to the 10th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC10) in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 2024, we carry forward the lessons from previous IWCs. Under the theme, "Transformative Actions and Impacts for the Water and Ocean SDGs: The GEF IW Response to the Global Challenge," the upcoming conference promises to build on this legacy by continuing by exploring new solutions, innovation, extended, collaboration for strategic impact.

The journey is well under way. and the spirit of the International Waters Conference remains as vital as ever. The past 30 years have shown us what can be achieved when nations come together to tackle shared challenges. They have demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to a common goal. As we celebrate 30 years of GEF IW Portfolio and the 10th IWC, we must also renew our determination to continue this work, to build on the legacy of the past three decades, and to ensure that future generations inherit a world where water is a source of life and prosperity.

About IW: LEARN

IW:LEARN is the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network. Acting as a service for the GEF International Waters Focal Area, it supports the GEF IW portfolio by catalyzing knowledge management, experience sharing, and capacity building to improve transboundary water management.

Currently in its 5th project cycle (2022-2026), IW: LEARN receives funding from the GEF and is jointly implemented by UNDP and UNEP, with execution overseen by IOC/UNESCO. Through these collaborative efforts, it continues to make significant strides toward enhancing the sustainable management of international waters worldwide.

For more information, please contact the Project Coordination Unit (pcu@iwlearn.org) or visit the IW:LEARN website.

Footnotes

Words by Fernanda Vilar. Photo Cover: Kim Cuong Nguyen Trang/Ocean Image Bank. Photo River: Adam Smigielski/Unsplash. Photo Ocean: Alec Douglas/Unsplash.

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FootNotes

Words by Fernanda Vilar. Photo Cover: Kim Cuong Nguyen Trang/Ocean Image Bank. Photo River: Adam Smigielski/Unsplash. Photo Ocean: Alec Douglas/Unsplash.