• Present and discuss the experience of joint bodies in specific technical topics in transboundary water cooperation worldwide, to enable identification of challenges and good practices and mutual learning;
• Demonstrate the value of joint action in addressing common problems, and benefits of transboundary cooperation;
• Discuss how the work on joint bodies could be continued under the Convention in the new work plan (2016-2018), and identify gaps and needs to that end;
• Increase awareness on how the global legal frameworks, in particular the Water Convention and the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention, their compatibility and mutual complementarity, as well as the 2008 ILC Draft articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers, relate to joint bodies and can support them.

The Project Implementation Unit is delighted to present the first tender of 2014:

• RFQ_GPSO_2014_066 (IWC-78317) “Shoreline and ice cleanup campaigns for Lake Baikal and Selenga River”, application period: 05 Apr 2014 - 15 Apr 2014

During preparation of your application please use the Application form and Recommendations for tenderers

Уважаемые коллеги!

Группа реализации проекта рада представить первый тендер 2014-го года:

• RFQ_GPSO_2014_066 (IWC-78317) “Очистка льда и побережья озера Байкал, реки Селенги”, прием заявок: 05 Апр 2014 - 15 Апр 2014

При оформлении ваших заявок рекомендуется использовать Форму заявки и Рекомендации

Work under this Outcome will generate a Strategic Action Programme for shared actions by the Russian Federation and Mongolia. This SAP for Baikal Basin will emphasize mainstreaming biodiversity management objectives into economic sector policies and practices and facilitate the maintenance of essential aquatic ecosystem functions that sustain human welfare. This SAP will provide a holistic review and strategy development for the transboundary basin-wide ecosystem.

On 24^th of March, a round table, devoted to World Water Day, was held in Buryatia with the support of the Project. This event was organized by Rosprirodnadzor and The Ministry of Natural Resources of Buryatia. Representatives of federal and local environmental organizations, public prosecution office, local administration, scientific and public organizations took part in the round table. Many current issues were discussed, such as lake Baikal preservation in new social and economic conditions and sustainable use of its water resources. The participants noted an importance of taking of well-timed decisions for reduction and prevention of anthropogenic load on natural objects of lake Baikal.

Source: http://prnadzor.e-baikal.ru/news?record_id=1022

On 20^th of March, a meeting with students and readers of Russian State Library was held with support of Informational UN Centre. The meeting was devoted to International Water Day.

Alexander Shekhovtsov, National Technical Director of UNDP/GEF Project, opened a discussion of experts. He told, that, UNDP/GEF project started in 2011 to study these areas. Rivers and streams that flow into lake Baikal, located in Irkutsk region, Buryatia, and they are quite dirty. Another problem - the Selenga River, the largest tributary of Lake Baikal, which originates in Mongolia. It is planned to build several power plants that may affect the lake. Currently The Project is working together with scientists from Russia, Mongolia and UN staff to monitor the status of Lake Baikal.

The film “Baikal without boundaries” was demonstrated to the readers and guests.

Source (text and photo):  http://www.rsl.ru/ru/s7/s409/2014/voda

GEF IW:LEARN Information and Communications Technology Workshop in Spatial Data Management for Asia and the Pacific was held on 17-20 March 2014 (Manila, Philippines).

Participants were given an in-depth understanding on the role of spatial data management in water ecosystem management and disaster risk mitigation and management using the success stories from World Bank’s Geonode implementation in the Latin America and Caribbean region and experiences of projects from other regions.

The workshop transferred skills on the use of GeoNode and related open source platform to the participants to enable their respective project.