INBO Holds Liaison Bureau Meeting with Regional Networks

On 14 October 2026, the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) held an online meeting of its Liaison Bureau, bringing together around 50 participants from regional networks and partner institutions.

Tito Queiroz, Deputy Executive Secretary at Brazil’s Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, opened the meeting on behalf of the INBO President. Participants discussed preparations for the UN Water Conference, scheduled for 8–10 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and shared updates on the activities of INBO and its regional networks.

Representatives of the African Network of Basin Organizations (ANBO), Mediterranean Network of Basin Organizations (MENBO), Latin American Network of Basin Organizations (RELOB), Brazilian Network of Basin Organizations (REBOB), Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO), the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Network of Water Management Organizations (EECCA NWO), and the Group of European Basin Organizations (EUROPE-INBO) presented their ongoing work and initiatives. The presentations provided an opportunity to exchange experience and learn about regional approaches and practical achievements in basin water management.

Oygul Usmanova presented an update on the activities of EECCA NWO, whose Secretariat is hosted by SIC ICWC. She highlighted ongoing work on upgrade of the Central Asia Water and Environment Knowledge Portal (CAWater-Info), the Water Yearbook: Central Asia and around the Globe, and implementation of the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) project, which promotes knowledge exchange and capacity building among basin organizations. She also outlined efforts to mainstream gender through membership in the global Women in Water Diplomacy Network and its regional branch for Central Asia and Afghanistan, as well as through maintenance of the Gender and Water in Central Asia website (GWANET). Particular attention was paid to further developing the Expert Platform on Water Security, Sustainable Development, and Future Studies established in 2019 with the involvement of EECCA NWO. The presentation covered ongoing activities under the Platform, including work on water heritage and research conducted in Central Asian countries through mentor–young researcher partnerships.

The meeting also addressed preparations for COP31 to be held on 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye; participation in the “Basin and Watershed Authorities” segment coordinated by INBO at the World Water Forum on 21–25 March 2027; and the EUROPE-INBO Conference scheduled for 2027 in Brussels.

In his closing remarks, INBO Secretary General Eric Tardieu thanked the regional networks for their informative presentations and emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties with relevant regional authorities. He particularly highlighted the global twinning approach promoted through INBO P2P project. The Secretary General stressed the need to work on two complementary fronts: advocacy and implementation of basin management. He concluded by encouraging regional networks to strengthen dialogue and sharing of knowledge and activities.