Under the theme “Shared Waters, Transformative Solutions: Enabling Systems Change,” the 11th International Waters Conference (Bali, Indonesia, 19-22 October 2026) brought together more than 400 delegates from around the world, representing governments, international institutions, organizations and development partners, to strengthen collaboration and advance sustainable solutions for shared freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Highlighting progress across more than 480 GEF International Waters projects in over 157 countries, the conference provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, showcasing practical solutions and strengthening international cooperation.
From regional priorities to country-level action!
The International Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC), together with the World Bank, shared the Sava River Basin experience, demonstrating how jointly agreed regional priorities can be translated into concrete actions at the country level.
This experience builds on the Joint Plan of Action for the Sava River Basin, developed by the ISRBC with World Bank support, which laid the foundation for the Sava and Drina Rivers Corridors Integrated Development Program (SDIP), combining country-level investments with regional cooperation.
As part of the conference's “Innovation in Action: From Cooperation to Systems Change” programme, the ISRBC presented ongoing activities under the GEF-financed SDIP Phase I, Part 4 - Regional Cooperation, and with representatives of the World Bank - Global Water Facility, Global Water Partnership (GWP), and the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) participated in the panel discussion “From Investable to Bankable: Financing Transboundary Water Solutions.”