Governance

WWQA Advisory Committee

The WWQA Advisory Committee (WWQA AC) plays a crucial role in guiding the World Water Quality Alliance (WWQA). It supports the WWQA Coordination Team by setting priorities, defining the scope of work, and shaping the implementation plan. The AC provides strategic and technical advice, ensuring a unified approach toward achieving the Alliance’s objectives. Additionally, the AC contributes to fundraising efforts, outreach, and enhancing the visibility of WWQA’s initiatives.

Membership and Terms

  • The AC consists of a maximum of 12 members, each serving a two-year term (renewable once).
  • If more than 12 expressions of interest are received, members are elected by a simple majority vote.
  • The AC includes a Chair and Co-Chair, elected by the committee members for a two-year term.
  • UNEP holds an ex-officio role, providing support and guidance for key activities.
  • A core group of up to six ex-officio members represents UN agencies, international organizations with significant roles in water quality monitoring, and key funding partners.

Meetings and Decision Making

  • The AC meets virtually every two months, with additional meetings scheduled as needed.
  • In case of resignation, members must notify the Coordination Team and AC at least six weeks in advance. A new member will be selected through an election.
  • Elections for a new AC take place three months before the end of the two-year term, allowing for an overlap and smooth transition.

Roles and responsibilities

The AC is responsible for:

  • Strategic Planning: Developing annual priorities and implementation plans with the Coordination Team.
  • Review and Oversight: Assessing the Alliance’s direction, priorities, and effectiveness of activities.
  • Outreach and Engagement: Enhancing WWQA’s visibility and global impact through strategic communications.
  • Resource Mobilization: Advising on fundraising strategies to support WWQA’s mission.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Strengthening ties between workstreams, external partners, and stakeholders.
  • Policy Alignment: Ensuring WWQA’s activities align with global water quality policies, SDG monitoring, and UN initiatives.
  • Inclusivity and Gender Responsiveness: Promoting the engagement of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and underrepresented groups in WWQA activities.

Advisory Committee Members

Dr. Megan Coffer is a Research Scientist in the Office of Research and Development at the United States Environmental Protection Agency. She is also a member of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) AquaWatch.

Dr. Nandhivarman Muthu, an Indian national, is a senior executive with 30+ years of expertise in water-food-energy-biodiversity interconnections. He leads efforts for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and serves as an IPBES expert member, advancing climate adaptation and SDGs globally

Dr. Myrle Ballard is a First Nation (Anishinaabe) woman and Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. With a PhD in Natural Resources Management, her research focuses on water, flooding, and their impacts on Indigenous communities. She combines Indigenous and Western science to address environmental and social issues, promoting water protection and resilience.

Dr. Luigi Ceccaroni holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and a BSc in Environmental Sciences. At Earthwatch, he leads international initiatives on citizen science, water literacy, and data standardization, with a focus on freshwater pollution and sustainable water management. Luigi works to expand citizen science in Africa.

Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu, a UNEP GEO-7 Author and Founder of the Green Institute, brings over a decade of expertise in water management and environmental sustainability. She leads initiatives empowering coastal women vulnerable to climate change, integrating in-situ and Earth observation technologies to advance water quality solutions and drive impactful community-based actions.

Enock Senteu Kiminta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and diplomas in Integrated Water Resources Management and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. Currently, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users Association (KeNAWRUA), and dedicated to sustainable Freshwater resource management. An expert in gender inclusion and policy advocacy.

Prof. Nynke Hofstra is a Professor of Water Systems and Global Change at Wageningen University. She holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences (cum laude) and a D. Phil. from Oxford. Prof. Nynke has chaired the WWQA Technical Advisory Committee, contributing to the development of the World Water Quality Assessment. She is committed to advancing global water quality initiatives.

Dr. Eduardo Mario Mendiondo is a recognized science-policy expert in hydrology and humanitarian engineering. As a leader in water disaster risk reduction, he works with global networks to address water-social inequalities, climate change, and resilience. Dr. Mendiondo promotes open-source water quality models, advancing inclusive water solutions through international initiatives.

Dr. Dahlia Sabri, a civil engineer with a PhD in Water Resources Engineering from TU-Berlin, has worked globally across the MENA region, Sweden, and Germany. Specializing in climate change mitigation and clean water access, she has led wastewater projects, supported NGOs, and empowered women and youth through sustainable water initiatives.

Mary Namukose is an aquatic ecologist with 10 years’ experience in international development, specializing in water quality and ecosystem health. As GIZ Uganda’s Advisor for Water Resources, she manages transboundary projects on plastic pollution, transboundary wetlands, and peatlands in the Nile Basin, leveraging expertise in partnerships, diplomacy, and youth engagement to drive impactful, sustainable change.

Professor Min Yang of Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, AE of ACS ESTWater, and Distinguished Fellow of IWA. He focuses on the identification and control of harmful pollutants in drinking water and wastewater. He has created CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Water and Environment to support South-South cooperation.

Linda Wong, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), the Chief Editor of OceanWetlands (海洋与湿地), a Visiting Professor at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, a member of the IUCN Intersessional Council Working Group responsible for developing a new 20-year strategic vision for the Union, and a member of the Governance Committee of the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP).

Ex-Officio Members and Observers

Prof Jodie Miller is the Section Head of the Isotope Hydrology Section at the IAEA in Vienna. She has over 20 years of experience in water resources research in Africa and Europe with a specific focus on how isotope hydrology can provide more detailed information on water sustainability particularly in response to climate and land use change.

Dr. Jake Diamond is the Programme Specialist for Water Quality and Ecohydrology at UNESCO in Paris, France. He has his doctorate in ecohydrology with over 10 years’ experience in environmental research and outreach with a focus on rivers, lakes, and wetlands. He has worked in consulting, government, and academic institutions.

Dr. Dominique Berod leads WMO activities on monitoring and information systems for water, cryosphere, and ocean. Previously, he was senior expert for Water, Cold Regions, and Disasters at GEO, and Head of the Swiss National Hydrological Service. He holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and a PhD in Hydrology.

Dr. Tommaso Abrate is a Scientific Officer at WMO’s Earth System Monitoring Division. Holding degrees in Geology, Environmental Engineering, and Hydrology, he has extensive experience in supporting observation projects globally, particularly in Africa. He focuses on hydrology standards, flood forecasting, risk assessment, and SDG 6 water monitoring indicators.

Esra Siltu is a Senior Expert in Water Management at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and possesses over 10 years of professional experience in water management, with a particular focus on water quality and contaminants of emerging concern.