1. Management and science in GEF lake basins projects Macau, 26 January 2010

2. Lake Basins Co-Chairs Gheorghe Constantin, – Director, Ministry of Environment and Water, Romania Kelly Munkittrick – Assoc. Director, Canadian Rivers Institute, UNB, Canada

3. Members Nikolay AladinRussiahydrology, remote sensing Sansanee ChoowaewThailand wetland resources Navy HapCambodia fisheries Gaspard NtakimaziBurundipollution control, biodiversity Eric OdadaKenya geology, assessment Mark ServosCanadacontaminants, Geoff PhillipsUKlake restoration, management Charles VorosmartyUSA water balance, climate Walter RastUSAtransboundary issues Sandra AzevedoBrazilphytoplankton Eddy CarmackCanadafisheries Karen KiddCanadafood webs, lake manipulations Sergei RyanzinRussialimnology Xiangcan JinChinaeutrophication Mikiyasu NakayamaJapan dams, lake impacts

4. Sectors University – 9 Federal government institutes - 7 75% have had GEF involvement Selected to represent expertise – Anticipate it growing with some specific additions

5. Projects lakes4 lakes, coastal,1 lakes, coastal, open1 lakes, open,1 lakes, rivers18 lakes, rivers, coastal23 lakes, rivers, coastal, GW1 lakes, rivers, coastal, open5 lakes, rivers, coastal, open, GW2 lakes, rivers, GW2 58

6. Geographic representation ProjectsPeople 15 eastern europe/western asia

7. Project breakdown Assigned 3-4 per person where expertise and experience – Will ask a fresh set of eyes to review as well Need to add additional expertise – Areas not covered – Issue areas not covered NAm Great Lakes Others to be strategically identified

8. Significance of regional and global issues Most of the lake basins problems have been worsened by climate change Problems are related to socio-economical features of the region Eutrophication is a common problem to all lakes but the causes are different Solutions are tailored according with specific conditions

9. Future activities Better highlight the best practices Assess the results of the closed projects in order to underline their sustainability Identify the approach issues which need improvement in future projects Identify emerging management issues Contribute to the learning network with a special section for decision makers

10. Stakeholder involvement Almost all projects have a component related to stakeholder involvement (users, public or NGOs) Sharing of information is essential Scientific information should be presented adequate to targeted stakeholder Establishing a framework for participation contribute to the success of policy implementation

11. Problems in lake management Fragmented approaches Lack of coordination across sectors Lack of monitoring and enforcement Different national interest in transboundary context Weak or non-existent institutions and legal framework

12. Management issues in GEF Lake basins projects Development of an institutional and legal framework Harmonization of policy at different levels Building or strengthening capacity Strengthening regional cooperation Public involvement (participation) Establishment of a monitoring and evaluation system

13. Role of the science within the projects Provide a background on the water environment Underline connections between causes and problems Provide innovative solutions (pilot projects) Provide a forecast on the impact of different options (modelling) Provide the scientific background for monitoring and assessment

15. Role of the TDA Some of the GEF projects on lake basins are based on a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (e.g. Lake Tanganika,2008) Integration of information (scientific, technical and socio-economic) Connect the environmental problems to causes Providing a tool for prioritization of action (Strategic Action Plan)