CHOIP @ the 25th Annual Large Marine Ecosystems Consultative Meeting

The Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program (CHOIP) actively participated in the 25th Annual Large Marine Ecosystems Consultative Meeting (LME25), held on 7–8 July 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. Organized by IW:Learn,  the meeting brought together representatives from Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded marine initiatives, Regional Seas organizations, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, international NGOs, research institutions, and development partners to strengthen collaboration, exchange knowledge, and advance ecosystem-based approaches to ocean governance.

Advancing Collaboration Across the Marine Portfolio

The Annual Consultation Meeting on Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) and Coastal Partners serves as a key forum for dialogue and partnership-building across the global ocean community. This year's discussions focused on sharing experiences and lessons learned in the application of ecosystem-based management (EBM) to large marine ecosystems and broader ocean governance frameworks. Particular attention was given to supporting implementation of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping ocean governance in the years ahead.

Following the main consultation, participants convened for a dedicated Data and Information Management (DIM) workshop, which explored innovative tools and approaches to strengthen marine data systems, knowledge-sharing, and information management. 

CHOIP's Contribution

Supporting Strategic Dialogue on GEF Marine Projects

Lorenzo Galbiati, GEF Technical Officer at FAO, chaired Session 3, which reviewed progress across GEF International Waters Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) projects. Representatives from 16 projects under implementation reflected on key achievements since the previous consultation, challenges affecting delivery, lessons learned, and approaches for ensuring the long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

Strengthening Synergies Across Integrated Programs

Mishal ("Mish") Hamid, CHOIP Project Lead, participated as a panelist during Session 4, representing the Clean and Healthy Ocean Integrated Program. He highlighted CHOIP's progress and identified opportunities for enhanced collaboration across the GEF marine portfolio.

Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening engagement with the Blue Green Islands Integrated Program and the Plastics Reboot Integrated Program—the two other GEF-funded integrated programs operating within the International Waters focal area. The discussion highlighted opportunities to share methodologies, data, knowledge products, and technical approaches to maximize synergies, avoid duplication, and increase collective impact at national, regional, and global scales.

Building a Connected Knowledge Ecosystem

During the DIM workshop, Laurent-Charles Tremblay-Levesque, CHOIP Knowledge Management Specialist, reported on the development of the CHOIP Community Portal. Designed as a collaborative knowledge hub, the portal will support the collection and sharing of best management practices while providing access to databases, information systems, and other knowledge resources. In his intervention, he also highlighted the importance of connecting community platforms across the International Waters portfolio to reduce duplication, improve interoperability, and maximize the value of knowledge management investments.

Key Takeaways for CHOIP

Several important messages emerged from LME25 that will help shape the early implementation of CHOIP.

1. The BBNJ Agreement Creates New Opportunities

LME25 was the first annual consultation held since the endorsement of the BBNJ Agreement. Its implementation is expected to generate significant momentum for ocean governance through action in four core areas:

• Marine genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits;
• Area-based management tools, including marine protected areas;
• Environmental impact assessments; and
• Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.

As CHOIP activities continue to be designed and implemented, aligning with the objectives of the BBNJ Agreement will be essential for demonstrating how the program contributes to emerging global ocean governance priorities.

2. Looking Ahead to GEF-9

The meeting was also the first LME consultation following confirmation of the GEF-9 replenishment (2026–2030). Under GEF-9, approximately 11.3 percent of the replenishment is allocated to the International Waters focal area.

The number of Integrated Programs has been reduced from eleven under GEF-8 to eight under GEF-9, and notably CHOIP is not currently included among the new programs, although future opportunities may emerge during the GEF-10 programming cycle. As the Plastics Reboot and Blue Green Islands programs continue, building strong partnerships and collaborative activities with these initiatives will be critical to leveraging existing investments and maximizing impact.

3. Rearticulating the Value of the LME Approach

Participants emphasized the need to refresh and strengthen the value proposition of the Large Marine Ecosystem approach. While LMEs remain a proven area-based management framework, the changing ocean governance landscape—including the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement—requires new approaches that operate across multiple scales.

For CHOIP, engagement with LME institutions and the application of ecosystem-based, transboundary management approaches will remain an important foundation for implementation and long-term impact.

4. Emerging Priorities from IW:LEARN 6

The IW:LEARN program recently launched practical guidance on source-to-sea assessments and gender mainstreaming within GEF International Waters projects. These resources will provide valuable support during the design and implementation of CHOIP activities.
Potential areas of collaboration between CHOIP and IW:LEARN include:
• A case study series on bankable solutions for nutrient pollution control; and
• The co-development of a practical guide on designing and implementing knowledge management and learning strategies for International Waters projects.

Looking Ahead: IWC11 in Bali

The next major milestone for the International Waters community will be the 11th GEF Biennial International Waters Conference (IWC11), taking place from 19–22 October 2026 in Bali, Indonesia.

The conference is expected to bring together more than 300 participants representing approximately 100 active GEF International Waters projects from 80 countries, alongside government institutions, UN agencies, development banks, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, regional bodies, and private-sector partners.

Under the theme "Shared Waters, Transformative Solutions: Enabling Systems Change," IWC11 will provide a platform for cross-sectoral learning, experience-sharing, and collaboration as the International Waters community prepares for the GEF-9 cycle. 

CHOIP has already submitted several expressions of interest to contribute to workshops and side events at IWC11. Through these engagements, the program aims to showcase emerging good practices, advance dialogue on nutrient pollution and marine ecosystem health, and strengthen partnerships that support the transition toward cleaner, healthier, and more resilient oceans.