The MedPartnership at the 6th International Waters Conference in Dubrovnik

The Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem, one of GEF’s large regional projects, was featured at the 6th biennial International Waters Conference that was held in Dubrovnik under the title “Raising the Bar: 20 Years of GEF Transboundary Water Results”.

During the opening session Maria Luisa Silva Mejias, Coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) confirmed that "the symbiosis between GEF International Waters, with its focus on transboundary water issues and UNEP/MAP, which facilitates environmental governance and secures sustainable implementation of agreed measures is almost unparalleled, which we are convinced will contribute to sustainable results".

Ivica Trumbic, Project Manager for the MedPartnership presented the project during the session "Adriatic/Mediterranean Host Region Panel", where he explained the structure of the partnership, the objectives and the means to achieve them as well as the measurable results. (To view the presentation you can download it from the menu on the right.)

The new iPad application, developed by MIO-ECSDE, showcasing the MedPartnership in a friendly manner using cutting-edge technology was also launched at the end of first day, with great success. (For more information follow the link here.)

The four-day conference, which was held on 17-20 October 2011, has brought together about 300 participants involved in the environment facility’s International Waters (IW) portfolio of projects. It was organized by GEF and the United Nations Development Programme in cooperation with the Croatian government. Participants included IW project managers, representatives of beneficiary countries, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies and private sector partners.

The primary goal of the conference was to convene stakeholders in IW projects so they can share knowledge, best practices and experience. In preconference workshops for project managers, participants tackled issues including nutrient reduction, global warming and climate change in large marine ecosystems and methods for developing projects that will ensure transboundary cooperation and success.