Uruguay is set to host over 300 delegates from around the world at the 10th International Waters Conference (IWC10), a high-level event taking place from September 23 to 26, 2024, in the coastal city of Punta del Este. The event is organized by the Global Environment Facility in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO), with Uruguay serving as the host country.
Under the theme "Transformative actions and impacts for the water and ocean SDGs: The GEF IW response to the global challenge," the conference aims to bring together leaders, experts, and international project representatives to tackle pressing global challenges related to water and ocean sustainability within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The GEF is the world’s largest funding mechanism supporting multi-country collaboration on our common marine and freshwater systems. Over the past 30 years, the GEF has mobilized over $3 billion in grants and $19 billion in co-financing to advance 470 ocean and transboundary water projects across 157 countries.
Uruguay's Minister of Environment, Robert Bouvier, alongside Fred Boltz, Manager of Programming at the GEF Secretariat, and Julian Barbiere, Head of Marine Policy at IOC/UNESCO, expressed their commitment to advancing global water and ocean management.
“It is a great honor for Uruguay to host this conference, which not only celebrates 30 years of GEF’s achievements worldwide but also highlights critical projects in our country, such as the protection of the Laguna Garzón in Rocha,” said Robert Bouvier, Uruguay’s Minister of Environment.
"Conserving our oceans and freshwater ecosystems to strengthen water security and to enhance economic development opportunities from our blue economy opportunities are essential for the health of people and planet. The GEF serves an important role in supporting the global community to achieve these shared aims by fostering cooperation and effective action across shared marine and freshwater ecosystems through inclusive and integrated approaches in partnership with governments, civil society, the private sector, Indigenous Peoples and local communities,” said Fred Boltz, Manager of Programming at the GEF.
Meanwhile, Julian Barbiere, Head of Marine Policy at IOC/UNESCO, noted the significance of collaborative efforts to address marine challenges: “When it comes to addressing ocean health, and some of key threats such as marine pollution, loss of biodiversity and marine habitats, and climate change impacts, we need to create innovative collaboration across national and maritime boundaries to effectively manage and adapt to these challenges. A key role of IOC/UNESCO is to ensure that these efforts led by the GEF are informed by the best available science.”
Key highlights and opportunities for exchange
The IWC10 will feature a wide array of activities, including an innovation marketplace, plenary sessions, roundtables, interactive workshops, and site visits to key technical areas of interest in Uruguay.
In addition, specialized training will be provided for international water project managers and country representatives, fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building. The conference will also serve as a platform for direct engagement with the GEF, partner agencies, and collaborating institutions, allowing participants to showcase their results and innovative approaches.
The GEF International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network (IW:LEARN) is responsible for organizing the International Waters Conference jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC), and other partners on behalf of the GEF International Waters (IW) project portfolio.
For more information on registration and conference updates, interested parties can visit the conference page on IW:LEARN.
Read the Spanish version of this press release >>
For media inquiries, please contact:
Alexandre Pinheiro Rego - GEF: arego@thegef.org
Matias Ponce - UNESCO Montevideo: gm.ponce-martinez@unesco.org
Media Contact
Alexandre Pinheiro Rego
Senior Communications Officer
arego@thegef.org
