On December 6th - 7th, GIWEH participated in the Global Workshop on the Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus, organized by the UNECE.

The workshop invited experts from academia, ministries and private sector to assess the increasing adoptation of the nexus approach, to present their new methodologies, and to share experiences of policymaking with the nexus approach. The meeting then linked the adoption of the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the nexus approach on energy, food security, water and ecosystems. It also identified past gains and future challenges. The Global Workshop emphasized the transboundary management of the nexus, although most attendees were from the water field.
Some highlights included the nexus model systems developed by the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and financing tools of EIB (European Investment Bank).

UNECE-UNCBD is part of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention). It aims to protect and ensure the quantity, quality and sustainable use of transboundary water resources by facilitating cooperation. It provides an intergovernmental platform for the day-to-day development and advancement of transboundary cooperation. Initially negotiated as a regional instrument, it turned into a universally available legal framework for transboundary water cooperation, which is open to all UN Member States. As of 1st March 2016, countries outside the UN Economic Commission for Europe region can also accede to the Water Convention.

This workshop has been useful for GIWEH as it will be representing one of the six main themes called "Water and Ecosystems" as a member of the Asia Water Council in the 8th World Water Forum in Brazil in 2018.
Consequently GIWEH is keen to continue to participate in events regarding the relationship of water and ecosystems to stay fully updated on its international progress.