Two workshops were organized by the secretariat in response to a mandate by the Conference of the Parties at its sixth session, and a mandate by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its seventeenth session. Participants discussed ways to increase the effectiveness of activities with other conventions and multilateral agreements. International organizations presented their approach to promoting synergy between conventions. Representatives from Parties briefed participants on their national experiences on cooperation between conventions. Participants highlighted the importance of avoiding duplication of work and promoting cost-effectiveness, coherence and complementarity of the objectives of different conventions