HAII was invited to attend “The Eighth GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC8)” on 9^th -10^th May 2016, at Jetwing Blue Hotel and Jetwing Beach Hotel, Negombo, Sri Lanka. The IWC objectives are to facilitate cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide learning and experience sharing in the area of water management. There wereabout 300 participants from various relevant government and non-government agencies from around the world joining this event. IWC8 was organized under the theme “Scaling Up Investments from Source to Sea in the Context of Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, with learning tracks devoted to catalyzing transformation and scaling up investments; strengthening governance processes to sustain project interventions; and data to policy.

Mr. Wasukree Sae-Tia, representative from HAII, attended the IWC8. There were a number of interesting sessions relevant for flood and drought management, such as;

1. Transboundary Waters: Status and Trends
2. Modern Data and Tools for International Waters: introduction of water management and planning tools
3. Planning for Floods and Droughts in Transboundary River Basin Context: Introduction of Flood and Drought Management Tools and jointed the sub-group on exchanging ideas about The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM Rainfall)
4. Navigating the Jungle of Indicators: workshop to exchange idea and analyze index forest for management planning and strategy
5. Sustaining Regional Institutions in LME, Groundwater and Freshwater: exchange experience about water in ecosystem; for example, pollution, climate change effect, etc.

Apart from the conference session, Mr. Wasukree also joined a technical site visit to Matara province. It was interesting to see local examples of good practices in water resources management. The change in livelihoods of women resulting from the use of alternative energy sources for fish drying technique was very impressive. This example is part of GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) project funded to promote alternative energy sources.