IMO has highlighted the importance of providing support for GEF-UNDP international waters projects (such as the GloBallast Partnerships Programme) at a two-day meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France( 2 October). Aimed at building a global and regional network of partners to enhance ecosystem-based management, the meeting, organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), also focused on strengthening capacity and partnership building through projects twinning, learning exchanges and training.