The 7th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC7), as with prior IW Conferences, will be a signature learning event for the GEF IW focal area. The GEF IW Conference objectives are to facilitate cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide learning and experience sharing. It strives to solicit advice from the existing GEF IW portfolio on burning issues, and to assist in building participant capacity in key management and technical areas. Participants sum up progress achieved and also look to the future of programming within and beyond the GEF IW focal area. The IWC7 theme is “Economic Valuation as a Tool to Bridge the Science-Policy Gap”. The IWC7’s objective is to facilitate experience sharing across the GEF International Waters portfolio, with a special emphasis on reviewing the economic valuation of international waters and the links between economic valuation and science, as well as mechanisms for linking both to policymaking.