International Lake Environment Committee Foundation

Sakura Blooming Alongside the gentle warmth, Japan's new fiscal year has begun. As April arrived, the cherry blossoms on the Karasuma Peninsula started to bloom as if eagerly anticipating the start of the new fiscal year. This year, ILEC welcomes a new member and is committed to advancing initiatives toward SLM (Sustainable Lake Management). We kindly ask for your warm support of ILEC's activities!

The latest issue of ILEC Newsletter (No.71) is now available! We are pleased to announce the release of the latest issue of ILEC Newsletter (No.71). It is now available on our website: https://lnkd.in/gYfUJPhu In this issue, we feature reflections from youth who participated in the 19th World Lake Conference (WLC19) held in Hungary last November, highlights of our activities for the fiscal year 2023, and information on the venue for the 20th World Lake Conference (WLC20) scheduled to be held in summer 2025. ― TOPICS ― ◆“Youth Power” in Action @WLC19　◆Report from a Former JICA Training Participant (Nepal)　◆ILEC's FY2023 (Highlights) 　◆Letter from Scientific Committee (Japan)　◆Our Activities Overview　◆Brisbane to Host WLC20 in 2025

The JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program for the fiscal year 2023 was carried out. This year, we hosted 11 participants from 11 countries (Albania, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Chad, India, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Cuba, El Salvador, and Mexico), alongside a staff member from the JICA Nicaragua Office. They underwent a three-week online training session from November to December, followed by a five-week training program in Japan from January to February. For more information and photos, you can find them on the ILEC website: https://lnkd.in/gFSNwm_H

Special Issue Newsletter on WLC19 Feature is now available! We have released a special issue of the newsletter featuring the 19th World Lake Conference (WLC19), which was held in Balatonfüred, Hungary, from November 7 to 9, 2023. It is now available on the ILEC website: https://lnkd.in/gYfUJPhu In this issue, we provide coverage of opening remarks, the contributions of scientific committee members and youth, and the International Colloquium, with photos. Additionally, the newsletter includes highlights from the Balaton Declaration, capturing the perspectives and opinions of the participants at WLC19. ― TOPICS ― ◆Opening　◆Scientific Committee　◆Youth Power　◆Posters　◆International Colloquium　◆Balaton Declaration

JICA Training Program in FY2023: Participants from 11 Countries Visit Japan The International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), commissioned by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), conducts an annual training course entitled “Integrated Lake, River and Coastal Basin Management for Sustainable Use and Preservation of Water Resources from January 10 (Wed.) to February 14 (Wed.), 2024. The participants have been preparing for their training in Japan during the 3-week online training (Stage 1) held in November 2023. During this 5-week on-site training at the ILEC facility in Kusatsu, 11 central and local government officials from developing countries engaged in river, lake, and coastal basin management will participate in various activities. The program includes lectures by esteemed educators from universities and companies in Kusatsu and other prefectures, as well as visits to relevant facilities. You can find more information on the ILEC website: https://lnkd.in/ge7tmcbe

Balaton Declaration from the WLC19 is now available. We are pleased to announce the release of the Balaton Declaration, which was compiled based on discussions and input from participants during the 19th World Lake Conference (WLC19) held in Balatonfüred, Hungary, from November 7th (Tuesday) to November 9th (Thursday), 2023. For the declaration, you can view and download it in PDF format from this linked page: https://lnkd.in/gz8hFftk

The video of the side event “International Colloquium” at WLC19 is now available! The International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) has announced the release of a video for the International Colloquium, held as a side event of the 19th World Lake Conference (WLC19) on November 6, 2023. Co-organized with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this hybrid event took place both in-person and online, attracting 134 participants from over 16 countries. The Colloquium focused on the significance of Sustainable Lake Management (SLM) in achieving water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions centered on the role of Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) as a tool to promote and share the importance of SLM, building upon the resolution adopted at the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA5.2) and the March UN Water Conference. You can find the video on the ILEC website at https://lnkd.in/gkfCchMS

ILEC has released ILBM's new video "What's ILBM? SV" This is newly produced as an introductory guide to ILBM, featuring easily approachable content through animation. Please take a look and give us your feedback to info@ilec.or.jp.

Call for Participants to Watch the WLC19 High School Student Session! We are pleased to announce and invite you to the High School Student Session scheduled for November 9, 2023, during the 19th World Lakes Conference (WLC19). In preparation for the 19th World Lake Conference, four exchange meetings were held between high schools in Hungary and Japan, where students learned about Lake Balaton and Lake Biwa, and students discussed the future vision of the lakes and what they can do to conserve them. In this session, each of them will present the outline of the research they are conducting based on the exchange meetings, as well as recommendations from the high school students for the future of the lake. ＜Details＞ Title: Research Presentations and Recommendations by High School Students for the Future of Lakes Date and Time: November 9, 2023, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Hungary Time UTC+1) Venue: Balatonfüred Kongresszusi Központ (Balatonfüred Congress Center), Online (Zoom) Language: English only Participation Fee: Free Agenda: Please refer to the attached flyer: https://lnkd.in/g3TNN67e Register: On Web: https://lnkd.in/gXuErxGf Registration Deadline: November 9, 2023

International Colloquium as a Side Event of WLC19! The International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will host an International Colloquium in a hybrid format allowing both in-person and online participation on November 6th, 2023, during the 19th World Lake Conference (WLC19). This Colloquium will focus on the “Sustainable Lake Management (SLM)” resolution adopted during the 5th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA5.2). It will provide a platform for governments and international organizations to share their initiatives and experiences related to SLM at the national, regional, and lake basin levels. Additionally, discussions will revolve around the significance of SLM in achieving water-related SDGs and the role of Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) as a tool to promote SLM. We look forward to your participation! ＜Highlight＞ Title: Promoting Sustainable Lake Management (SLM): Challenges, Achievements, and Lessons Learned Date and Time: November 6th, 2023 (Monday) 　　　　　　　 Hungary Time (UTC+1): 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Venue: Balatonfüred Kongresszusi Központ (Balatonfüred Congress Center), Online Language: English Only Registration Fee: Free Organizers: International Lake Environment Committee Foundation (ILEC) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Content: Please refer to the attached for details: https://lnkd.in/gvfPciRP Registration Method: Web In-Person: https://lnkd.in/gXz_mBb4 Online: https://lnkd.in/gQnxKWB8 Registration Deadline: In-Person – October 15th (Sunday), Online – November 6th (Monday) Phone: +81-77-568-4567 Email：infoilec@ilec.or.jp