At the time of writing, we are only a few weeks away from IWA’s seminal biennial World Water Congress & Exhibition in Toronto. For all of us in IWA, this is an exciting opportunity to connect with peers, renew friendships and challenge ourselves with new ideas and the latest water knowledge.
For me, the occasion of the Congress brings mixed emotions. There is inevitably a little sadness, as the conclusion of the Toronto Congress will also signal the end of my time as IWA President. But there is also the chance to reflect on the privilege and pleasure of serving in this position over the past three and a half years; there is the occasion to welcome renewal, as my successor, Dr Hamanth Kasan, takes on the Presidency; and there is reason to celebrate the advances that IWA continues to make in delivering a world in which water is sustainably managed for the benefit of all.
All of us within IWA can be proud of our achievement over recent years. In addition to the World Water Congress, our Water and Development Congress – held in alternate years – has grown in stature and impact, with the 2023 iteration in Kigali, Rwanda, contributing to a deepening of our engagement in Africa and the Global South generally, expanding networks and sharing knowledge. This has also been a key part of a conscious step towards ensuring sanitation figures visibly in the IWA agenda. IWA’s outreach and relevance is also reflected in the growth in Governing Membership in Latin America, South Asia and across Africa.
We have continued to deliver our core offerings – a combination of services to, and opportunities for, our members – while ensuring that we continue to evolve. Our strategic step moving IWA Publishing journals to Open Access has allowed greater access to published works and raised the profile of our journals. Through the generosity of Past President Glen Daigger and his wife Patty, we have launched our IWA LeaP leadership programme for Young Water Professionals. This complements our highly successful Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship, delivered in partnership with Grundfos.
At our 2022 World Congress in Copenhagen, there were too many outstanding elements for me to list here. However, I was especially pleased to provide a platform for recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ interests in water and to commence exploring their unique insights into water resource management. We are still in the early stages of raising the profile of First Peoples, but we are committed to the journey.
A core objective of the past few years has been to ensure that IWA is strongly member led and member focused in its work. Underpinning this outward facing activity are some unseen, but critical business fundamentals. Because, while our Association is ‘not for profit’, IWA will not survive unless it is financially strong and well governed. I am happy to say that IWA is both these things. In this regard, I thank my dedicated Board colleagues and a highly disciplined staff led by our CEO and Executive Director, Kala Vairavamoorthy.
I am sometimes asked why I volunteer my time as President. I suspect my answer is the same as many IWA members would give: there is a sense of achievement, of doing something worthwhile; there is the chance to learn and develop, to become a better water practitioner; and there is friendship and wonderful connections to water peers worldwide. As Mark Twain said: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
My final reflection is on the role of the President. We are often encouraged to consider the power – the influence – that can emanate from an individual. It is true that great leaders set an exciting vision and inspire. However, little can be achieved without the contributions of the many. The intellect, the resources and the effort of a group is ultimately what drives change and moves us forward. This is the power of IWA. IWA’s continued success is the success of the many. And for that, I thank you all.
Tom Mollenkopf, President, IWA
(Tom Mollenkopf’s term as President of IWA ended at the closure of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2024, 11-15 August. He handed over to Prof Hamanth Kasan.)
