International RiverFoundation

Last week, almost 300 delegates from across the globe attended the Olympic Rivers satellite event, where we delved into the transformative power of river revitalisation in building sustainable, liveable, and tourism-friendly urban environments. Our keynote speaker, Benjamin RAIGNEAU, Head of Sanitation and Water Department for the Ville de Paris, and a global panel of experts - Rebecca Arnaud, Elizabeth Sisson, Steve Richards, William Dennison and Mina Guli - inspired and challenged us with groundbreaking initiatives, practical insights and calls to action to drive bold and ambitious commitments for our waterways. Key takeaways included the need for strong leadership and governance frameworks, dedicated investments and the involvement of partnerships and community to support ecological awareness. Click the link below to access the Olympic Rivers satellite event recording and receive early access to tickets for the second satellite event! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gUviHZ8S AmaWaterways River Cruises Philip Weller Stuart Orr Sarah Zeljko #OlympicRivers #SeineRiver #Brisbane2032 #BrisbaneRiver #Paris2024 #Olympics #Seine

High 5s for the Freshwater Challenge at the One Water Summit! Membership hit 50 as Australia & Kazakhstan joined and the Global Environment Facility announced a critical investment of $5 million to accelerate action. Major milestones for the Challenge - demonstrating how momentum is building behind the world's largest ever freshwater restoration and protection initiative. Along with the contribution from the GEF International Waters focal area, over US$10 million in co-financing has already been identified from a broad range of actors, including the private sector, NGOs, and member countries. Which now number 49 after Kazakhstan and Australia joined. Along with the European Union, the Freshwater Challenge now boasts 50 members. Speaking at the Summit, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, President of IUCN - one of the 8 global partners, including WWF, supporting the country-led Freshwater Challenge - welcomed the two milestones, "The Freshwater Challenge will continue to bang the drum for freshwater protection and restoration globally, support capacity building and communications, and mobilise resources for member countries to deliver on the commitment they have made to the Freshwater Challenge." https://lnkd.in/dKBhAYsR Aaron Vermeulen Dermot O'Gorman Mina Guli Yelizaveta (Lizza) Protas Lydia Gaskell Allard Stapel Mehr Amin-Schreuder Dr Adnan Aziz Laila Mostafa Abdullatif Marina Antonopoulou Jelle de Jong Bart Geenen Justin Woolford Sarah Davidson Jesse Gallun Rhett Ayers Butler Nickolai Kinny Whitmore Niharika I. Daudi Sumba Cristianne Close Kirsten Schuijt David Tickner Zach Abraham Franziska Bäckemo Jessie Schwartz Michele Thieme

Councils across SEQ are at the forefront of managing our waterways and wetlands as the increased risk of natural disasters threatens to leave SEQ vulnerable and exposed.   International RiverFoundation event, Olympic Rivers: Restoring Urban Waterways and Creating a Legacy for Future Generations, is an opportunity to hear from Benjamin RAIGNEAU, leader of the "baignade en Seine" project and responsible for the Seine's ecological transformation for the #Paris2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As we work together in the lead up to #Brisbane2032, it’s crucial we protect the health and build the resilience of South East Queensland’s catchments, waterways and Moreton Bay. 🇦🇺🇫🇷   Register now: https://lnkd.in/gy75Wq49

Dive into the transformative world of urban waterway restoration with William Dennison at the Olympic Rivers satellite event this Thursday, 28 November, from 3-5 PM AEST. As Vice President for Science Application at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Dr Bill Dennison is renowned for turning complex environmental science into actionable, community-focused solutions. From developing environmental report cards to fostering impactful storytelling, he has been at the forefront of revitalising waterways such as Baltimore Harbour, which now hosts an annual group swim celebrating its ecological progress. During next week’s satellite event, he will unpack lessons from the Seine River’s inspiring transformation, delving into how effective communication, public engagement, and collaborative storytelling drive meaningful environmental change and how these strategies can be applied globally. Join our panel of experts as they explore the transformative power of restoring urban waterways to build sustainable, liveable, and tourist-friendly urban environments. We look forward to seeing you there! 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gy75Wq49 #OlympicRivers #IRS2025 #ScienceCommunication #HealthyRivers Philip Weller Stuart Orr

We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca Arnaud, Brisbane City Council’s Manager of Legacy and Games Planning, as a panellist for the Olympic Rivers Satellite Event! With over 25 years of experience in urban renewal, regeneration, and placemaking, Rebecca is at the forefront of ensuring Brisbane maximises the transformational opportunities of hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. From designing legacy strategies to leading Council’s input on venue and sports precinct requirements, Rebecca is paving the way for a vibrant, sustainable future for Brisbane. Join us on November 28, 2024, from 3-5 PM AEST, as Rebecca shares her insights on how cities can leverage major events to drive urban innovation and sustainable development for our waterways. 📅 Register now to be part of this inspiring conversation: https://lnkd.in/gev8pQRu #IRS2025 #OlympicRiversEvent #Brisbane2032 #UrbanRenewal #SustainableDevelopment Philip Weller Stuart Orr William Dennison

From the Seine to the Brisbane River, the Olympic Rivers satellite event brings together leading experts driving the future of river revitalisation. One such expert is Elizabeth Sisson, Brisbane City Council’s Manager of Water, Energy, and Environmental Systems. As Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Elizabeth is leading the charge to ensure the city remains clean, resilient, and sustainable. From promoting healthy waterways and flood resilience to driving a low-carbon future, her work is helping shape Brisbane into a city ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. At the Olympic Rivers satellite event, Elizabeth will share her expertise in building sustainable urban systems and creating a clean, healthy environment for all. Join us as we explore how river cities like Paris and Brisbane are leading the way in resilient water management. 📅 Don’t miss it—November 28, 2024 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gev8pQRu #IRS2025 #OlympicRiversEvent #Brisbane2032 #SustainableCities Philip Weller Stuart Orr William Dennison

Great News! #Panama has become 47th Member of #FreshwaterChallenge at #COP16. Wonderful to see momentum continuing to build behind large scale restoration & protection of freshwater ecosystems Stuart Orr Christine Colvin Lis Mullin Bernhardt Vivek Shah James Dalton Michele Thieme Sarah Davidson Jesse Gallun

“Without some of the world’s most important rivers, our company would not exist,” says Steve Richards, Managing Director of AmaWaterways River Cruises Australia & New Zealand and a panel member of our upcoming Olympic Rivers satellite event. With over 20 years of experience in travel and tourism, Steve brings a deep understanding of the vital connection between healthy rivers and sustainable tourism. On Thursday, 28 November, Steve will share how AmaWaterways champions the protection of the rivers in which they operate - ensuring these incredible waterways can be enjoyed for generations to come. 📅 Register now to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/gev8pQRu 🌍 Event time: 3-5 PM AEST | 4-6 PM AEDT | 6-8 AM CET | 5-7 PM NZDT | 2-4 PM JST | 4-6 AM UTC | 12-2 AM EST | 12-2PM WIB | 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM IST | 1-3PM CST #IRS2025 #OlympicRiversEvent #AmaWaterways Philip Weller Stuart Orr William Dennison

Are you ready to join the River Revolution? Curious about the incredible restoration of the Seine showcased at the Paris Olympics? Join us for the upcoming Olympic Rivers satellite event, where Mina Guli will be joining us as a panel member! Mina is a world-renowned water advocate, ultra-runner, and changemaker, named one of Fortune’s 50 Greatest Leaders in the World. Her latest extraordinary feat? Running over 800km along the Seine River in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games —shining a spotlight on the Seine's revolutionary restoration and the critical need for sustainable water practices. 🌱💧 From the Amazon to Antarctica, Mina’s experiences on the frontlines of the water crisis highlight the power of collective action in protecting our most vital resource. Join us on November 28 to hear Mina’s insights and be part of a transformative conversation on the future of sustainable river management. 📅 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gev8pQRu #RunBlue #WaterAdvocate #Riversymposium2025 #SustainableFuture #ThirstFoundation #MinaGuli #SeineRiverRun #IRS2025 Thirst Foundation Stuart Orr Richard Lee Philip Weller

Meet our Keynote Speaker: Benjamin RAIGNEAU! Join us online on November 28 for the Olympic Rivers satellite event, where we are honoured to welcome Benjamin Raigneau as a keynote speaker! Since 2020, Benjamin has led the Sanitation and Water department for the Ville de Paris, shaping innovative water policies and overseeing the renowned Eau de Paris—France's first public water company. His expertise extends to supervising the ambitious “baignade en Seine” project, which envisions swimmable waters in the Seine. Most recently, Benjamin managed water quality for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, playing a pivotal role in making the Seine swimmable for the first time in nearly a century. Don't miss the opportunity to gain insights from one of Europe’s leading water management experts! 🌍💧 Click the link below to register for the Olympic Rivers satellite event now 👇 https://lnkd.in/gev8pQRu #Riversymposium2025 #OlympicRiverEvent #WaterInnovation #IRS2025 #SeineRiver Philip Weller Stuart Orr