Meet the Speakers
Meet the practitioners and experts contributing to the Global Youth Water Envoys Programme’s capacity-building sessions. Drawing on experience across water, climate, and diplomacy, our speakers share practical insights into policy, cooperation, and action to support the Envoys’ learning journey towards the 2026 UN Water Conference and their work in their communities.
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Henk Ovink
Global Commission on the Economics of Water
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Biography
Henk Ovink is Professor Water-cycle Diplomacy & Design at Delft University of Technology. He is founding Commissioner and Executive Director of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and Chair of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Henk was the first global water ambassador and led the UN Water Conference in 2023. Henk served on President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force where he developed and led the ‘Rebuild by Design’ competition.
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Sogol Jafarzadeh
UNU-INWEH
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Sogol Jafarzadeh is an Environmental Scientist with over 15 years of experience in environmental policy and inclusive governance. She has worked extensively in climate and water diplomacy, with a strong focus on gender and equity, serving various regional and international agencies. As UNU-INWEH’s Policy Development and Government Relations Lead, Sogol engages with the UN system, member states, and diverse stakeholders to foster partnerships and advance cooperation on water, sanitation, health, climate, and environmental issues, particularly their gender and justice dimensions. She is a member of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network and serves on the Network’s Process Support Team. Prior to UNU, Sogol served as Environmental Affairs Adviser at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), where she focused on transboundary water cooperation and water diplomacy. She also acted as gender focal point and led the establishment of the Women in Water Management Network in Central Asia and Afghanistan. She has previously worked with UNEP and UNDP on environmental policy, including efforts to combat sand and dust storms.
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Kelly Ann Naylor
UN-Water
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Biography
Kelly Ann Naylor has over 25 years of experience in international water and sanitation policy and programming. She was UNICEF’s global director for water, sanitation, hygiene, climate and disaster-risk reduction from 2018 to 2022 and served as Vice Chair of UN-Water, the coordination mechanism for water and sanitation in the UN system from 2020-2022. Most recently, as a freelance consultant, she has supported recent flagship reports by the UN system on SDG 6 and UN Member State-driven water processes related to the UN Water Action Decade 2018-2028 and the 2026 UN Water Conference.
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Sofie Jaffe
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
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Biography
Dr Sofie Jaffe Sofie is currently the Permanent Observer of IUCN to the UN in New York. Prior to taking up this role in August 2023 Sofie served with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as First Secretary for Sustainable Development and Environment at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations. Prior experience include working for the World Meteorological Service as Project Coordinator for the Global Framework for Climate Services Adaptation Programme in Africa, based in Geneva and Nairobi as well as extensive experience in humanitarian and development work with various international NGOs including Oxfam GB, mostly in East Africa and the Horn of Africa. Sofie has a PhD in Environmental Change at the University of Helsinki, focusing on drought as a cause of food insecurity in the Greater Horn of Africa, a MSc in Environmental Management from the University of London and a MSc in Social Sciences from Helsinki University.
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Faisal Al Marzooqi
Khalifa University
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Biography
Faisal Abdulla AlMarzooqi is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Khalifa University. His research focuses on novel membranes and devices for solar water treatment and energy applications including desalination, wastewater treatment, seawater and brine mining, valuable metals recovery, ammonia, hydrogen, batteries and in general converting Waste into Value, i.e. Waste-to-X. Faisal is also the Deputy Director of the Center of Membrane and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) at Khalifa University and an Advisory Board Member for XPRIZE Water Scarcity, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative. This $119 million, five-year global competition is designed to drive widespread access to clean water by creating reliable, sustainable, and affordable seawater desalination systems. A frequent contributor to academic journals, Faisal was also a visiting assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. He received his PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Masdar Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. He obtained his Master of Chemical Engineering from the Imperial College London for his research on the use of ionic liquids in the determination of surface energies, which led him to receive the prestigious Lonza Award. He is a graduate of both the Executive Leaders and Innovative Leaders programs of the UAE Government Leaders Program at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dubai.
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Juan Ramos
Clean Rivers
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Juan Ramos is Senior Manager of International Development and Partnerships at Clean Rivers working at the intersection of waste and water. He develops strategic programmes, partnerships and financing approaches to strengthen waste management systems and protect waterways. He brings extensive experience working with governments, development finance institutions, UN agencies and the private sector to mobilize resources for climate, nature and sustainable development. Previously, Juan served as Director of Integrated Finance and Public Policy at EcoAgriculture Partners, where he advanced systemic finance strategies and convened the 1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People initiative, supporting locally led landscape approaches. He has also worked at WWF, the Inter-American Development Bank Group, South Pole and EY, focusing on blended finance, sovereign green bonds, carbon finance and sustainability strategies. His experience includes engagement in international policy processes under the UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD and UN Food Systems Summit. Originally from Guatemala, Juan is a Sustainable Business candidate at the University of Cambridge. He holds a degree in International Economics from the University of Calgary, a graduate diploma in Sustainable Finance from UNEP FI and Universidad Finis Terrae, and an executive diploma in Global Competitiveness Leadership from Georgetown University.
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Ammar Orakzai
UNICEF
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A global WASH leader with over 20 years of experience across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Ammar Orakzai has led water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes in complex humanitarian and development settings. He is specialized in strengthening national systems, advancing climate-resilient WASH solutions, and supporting governments to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. In his current role is he leading the safely managed sanitation (SMS) agenda based in UNICEF HQ. Ammar is a strong advocate for placing young people at the center of the WASH agenda - engaging youth as partners and influencers in shaping policies, driving accountability, and fostering solutions that improve health, dignity, and opportunities for future generations. Through his work with governments, communities, and partners, he promotes inclusive approaches that connect policy, innovation, and community voices to achieve sustainable WASH outcomes for children and families.
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Sareen Malik
African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation
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Sareen Malik is the Executive Secretary of the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), the pan-African platform that convenes civil society across the continent on water and sanitation policy. A lawyer by training, she is Vice Chair of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), a Board Member of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Co-Chair of cewas, and a member of the Selection Committee of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Sareen brings over 15 years of experience in water sector governance, anti-corruption, policy advocacy, and organisational development across Africa. She has published widely on water sector governance tools, policies, and practices for state and non-state actors, and is an advocate for accountability, equity, and inclusive participation in WASH policy.
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Stephen Scalet
TRENDS
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Biography
Stephen Scalet is an Advisor at TRENDS Global, Abu Dhabi, where he provides policy-oriented analysis across a portfolio that includes sustainability, the energy transition, critical minerals, South-South geo-economics, and technology governance. He also serves as Director of the TRENDS Italy Virtual Office, where he works to strengthen institutional ties between TRENDS Group and Italian think tanks and universities, while commissioning and supporting research on all forms of connectivity between the Southern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Previously, as Head of Economics and Research at Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), he led the development of corporate strategy scenarios for long-term trends in crude oil, fuels, and petrochemical markets. Earlier, as Deputy Director of Economic Affairs at the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, he conducted policy research and contributed to the team that developed the UAE's policy framework for the evaluation and potential development of peaceful nuclear energy. Following the launch of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy programme, he joined the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation as Deputy Director General for Administration. Mr. Scalet holds an LL.B. from the London School of Economics, a B.C.L. from the University of Oxford (Trinity College), and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School.
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Osha Almheiri
Mai Dubai LLC
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Graduate Trainee – Quality at Mai Dubai | Food Scientist | QHSSE & Food Safety | HACCP & FSSC 22000 | Microbiology & Laboratory Research | Water Quality & Sustainability| R&D
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Dr Marie-Charlotte Buisson
International Water Management Institute
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Dr. Marie-Charlotte Buisson is a Principal Researcher at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI/CGIAR), where she leads the Research Group on Economics and Impact Assessment. Over fifteen years of field research across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, she has studied how water access shapes household welfare, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience. Her current work examines how water investments translate into economic returns for smallholders and how policy instruments can be redesigned for more equitable outcomes. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from CERDI (Université Clermont Auvergne, France) and has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications.
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Chaturangi Wickramaratne
International Water Management Institute
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Chaturangi Wickramaratne (PhD) is a Researcher in Freshwater Ecology at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), based at its headquarters in Sri Lanka. She has an educational background in aquatic ecosystem management, and brings over a decade of expertise in conservation and sustainable development. At IWMI, she leads multiple projects on wetlands, with a particular emphasis on urban and peri-urban wetlands and contributes to a range of multidisciplinary research initiatives focused on securing nexus gains across water, energy, food and ecosystems, advancing agroecological transformation across food systems and promoting sustainable small-scale inland aquaculture production. Her work often intersects with research, policy advocacy, community engagement, and collaborative efforts with state agencies, NGOs, academia, and youth, to ensure conservation, restoration and wise-use of wetland ecosystems. She represents IWMI as its nominated delegate for the Ramsar Convention and also serves on the board of the Environmental Foundation Limited, Sri Lanka.
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Dr Valentin Aich
GWP
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Valentin Aich is seconded from the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as a Senior Water and Climate Specialist. He is Acting Head of the joint WMO–GWP Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP), contributes to the joint Associated Programme on Flood Management, facilitates the WMO Expert Team on Drought, and co-chairs for WMO the UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change. He leads the technical development and implementation of projects on drought and flood resilience. He holds a PhD in Hydrology from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
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Ingrid Timboe
AGWA
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Ingrid Timboe is the Deputy Executive Director and Senior Policy Specialist at AGWA. She first joined the Secretariat as a Policy Associate in 2017 to coordinate Water Action Day at COP23 and has been engaged in international climate and water policy ever since, serving as AGWA's lead for UNFCCC processes. Based in the United States, Ingrid is involved in all things policy at AGWA, coordinating AGWA Policy Group communications, producing the AGWA Policy Newsletter, drafting policy briefs and white papers, and speaking at international workshops and conferences. Ingrid holds a Master's of Science Degree (MSc) in Water Resources Management, focused on transboundary waters, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Affairs.
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Lili Lunyolo
Arizona State University
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Lilian Daphine Lunyolo is an international climate and water governance expert, a sustainability researcher, and a Board Member for the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA). She serves as a Research Associate in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University, where she is also pursuing a Ph.D. under the guidance of global water scientist Jay Famiglietti. Her work evaluates the role of multilateral climate governance in driving water action. Lunyolo seamlessly bridges science and policy, drawing from an impactful professional background within the United Nations system, most notably with the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) and UNU-EHS in Germany, as well as with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Austrian Development Agency in Uganda. An avid advocate for the next generation of climate leaders, she is currently spearheading a global water-climate mentorship program in partnership with AGWA and Josh’s Water Jobs.
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Dr. Zodwa Dlamini
Independent Consultant
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Dr. Zodwa Dlamini (South Africa) is a seasoned international transboundary water management specialist, development professional, and senior infrastructure projects manager. As the former South Africa’s Chief Delegate and Permanent Representative on the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC) for 11 years, she oversaw the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and its implementation and served as South Africa’s Chief Negotiator for Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project valued at $5 Billion that is currently being implemented in Lesotho. The LHWP is a binational project between the government of the Republic South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho responsible for delivering water from the highlands of Lesotho to South Africa and utilising the water delivery system to generate 72MW hydro-electric power for the Kingdom of Lesotho at ‘Muela Hydropower Station. LHWP was Africa’s largest water transfer scheme prior to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Dr. Dlamini further ensured that gender policies in the LHWP are intentional and decisive in matters of gender inclusivity and participation of women. It was during her tenure when the LHDA first appointed a woman Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in over 20 years of its existence. Dr. Dlamini is currently an independent consultant currently supporting the development of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in the Orange-Senqu. Zodwa is a founding member of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in the Nile (2017) and served on the Network’s Leadership Council from 2021-2024, and currently serves on the Women in Water Diplomacy Network’s Global Leadership Council.
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Elizabeth A. Koch
Women in Water Diplomacy Network and Principal, Bridging Waters Advisory
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Elizabeth A. Koch (United States) is the Principal of Bridging Waters Advisory, a strategic partner of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network supporting the Network’s development in close collaboration with the Network’s leadership. Elizabeth has served as the Women in Water Diplomacy Network’s Process Support Team Lead since 2018, supporting the Network’s inception and strategic development. Elizabeth has nearly 20 years of experience supporting inclusive water diplomacy engagements in conflict sensitive basins on behalf of Bridging Waters Advisory, the Environmental Law Institute, SIWI’s Shared Waters Partnership programme, the UNESCO Category II International Centre for Water Cooperation, and EcoPeace Middle East. Elizabeth holds a MA in Government, Diplomacy and Strategy and BA in International Relations.
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Dr. Annukka Lipponen
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland
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Dr. Annukka Lipponen, Chief Specialist on Water Resources Management, has broad international water cooperation responsibilities at senior level in the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, notably in relation to the EU water policy and global water issues, multilateral and bilateral cooperation, and promotion of expertise. Dr. Lipponen is a part of the team working on Finland’s co-chairpersonship of the ‘Water for Cooperation’ Interactive Dialogue of the 2026 UN Water Conference, and she is a member of the Steering Group of the Finnish Water Diplomacy Platform. She is currently the Chair of UN Water Convention’s Task Force on the Water-Food-Energy -Ecosystems Nexus. For 12 years at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, she was responsible for work on monitoring and assessment, coordinated intersectoral dialogues as well as worked on water allocation and monitoring SDG 6. Dr Lipponen also advanced water sciences and capacity building worldwide as programme specialist in UNESCO, globally and based in Central Asia. Her research at the Finnish Environment Institute supported protection and use of groundwater.
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Laurent Javaudin
European Commission (DG Environment)
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Based in Brussels, Laurent is currently International Relations officer for Water, at DG Environment of the European Commission. Before that, he served as an EU Diplomat on Sustainability issues in Washington DC (2006-09), Beijing (2009-2013) and Brasilia (2021-2026). A French national, Laurent graduated from Sciences Po Paris.
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Dani Gaillard-Picher
AGWA
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Dani Gaillard-Picher has two decades of experience in water, climate and development policy and is passionate about designing collective action change processes. She is currently Senior Policy Advisor for the Water Resilience Tracker at the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation. She has previously worked on International Processes and Policy at the Stockholm International Water Institute, Global Water Partnership, and the World Water Council, where she worked extensively on the triennial World Water Forums. She is currently the first Chair of the UK-based charity, Community of Women in Water and also held the Vice Chairmanship for the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG). Both American and French, she holds an undergraduate degree from the Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA) and a Masters in Global Development Management from the Open University (UK).
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Martina Müller
UNDRR (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)
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As programme officer for partnerships at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Martina Müller provides policy advice and substantive guidance to Member States to integrate the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and risk-informed sustainable development into intergovernmental decisions. Ms. Müller has served the United Nations in various capacities for 7+ years, including by monitoring the performance of the UN development system in the fields of environment and climate and by supporting intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Previously, she served as international advisor to the São Paulo State Secretary for the Environment, connecting the global to the local by developing pioneering policies and cooperation projects; and as a manager at the sustainability non-profit Ceres, leveraging corporate efforts to address tropical deforestation. Ms. Müller holds a master’s degree in public policy (Harvard University) and is a licensed lawyer (São Paulo University / Ludwig-Maximilian University) specialized in environmental law. She speaks English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.