As we are embarking on another, new chapter for the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to our newly elected 2025-2027 Executive Board. Their leadership comes at a pivotal moment when IWRA continues to strengthen its role as a central knowledge hub at the science-policy-practice interface, ensuring that sound water management remains at the heart of global decision-making for a positive change in communities.
I would also like to express my deep gratitude to all Board members, Committee leaders, and Task Forces and Chapters representatives who have already started to dedicate their time and expertise to advance IWRA’s mission. Your commitment will enable us to support interdisciplinary collaboration, bridge knowledge gaps, and drive impactful water-related initiatives worldwide. Together, we will continue building a strong, engaged, and solution-driven IWRA Community.
On a personal note, I am honoured to take on the role of Executive Director, marking eight and a half years with IWRA. I sincerely appreciate the trust and support I have received from the Executive Board, colleagues, members, and partners, and I look forward to working alongside you all to expand IWRA’s influence and impact in the coming years.
As part of IWRA’s ongoing efforts to anticipate and shape future water challenges, I am pleased to announce a new collaborative project with the General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design under the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. This initiative, “Key Water Resource Fields: Analysis of Global Development Trends and Future Pathways,” will provide a comprehensive assessment of emerging water issues worldwide, identifying development trends and pathways for sustainable water management on dedicated and focused areas.
In addition, IWRA remains committed to promoting knowledge dissemination through the Global Water Security Issues (GWSI) series, in partnership with UNESCO i-WSSM. We are excited to announce that recently we launched a new call for proposals for contributions to our upcoming volume on Water and Gender: Towards Women’s Equal Rights and Opportunities, which explored contributions on policies, economic and legal instruments, and social/community-based approaches designed to improve women’s participation, inclusion and equality in water access and management, while preventing and mitigating effects of climate-related water disasters and empowering them in management roles and decisions.
Moreover, IWRA joined the global water community to celebrate World Water Day 2025, with this year’s theme on Glacier Preservation. As climate change continues to accelerate glacier loss, IWRA is committed to supporting research and policy discussions that address the far-reaching implications on the ground for freshwater availability, biodiversity, and human livelihoods.
Looking ahead, I encourage all members and partners to mark their calendars for our flagship event: the XIX World Water Congress, taking place from December 1-5, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco. This Congress will serve as a premier platform for exchanging knowledge, fostering international collaboration, and shaping the future of global water management. We look forward to welcoming you there to engage in thought-provoking discussions and forge new partnerships.
Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to advancing sustainable water management responses. Whether through research, policy engagement, or grassroots action, we all play a crucial role in addressing today’s water challenges. I am excited for what lies ahead and look forward to working together to make a lasting impact with IWRA.
