About Us
For over 50 years, we’ve connected knowledge, partnerships, and practice across disciplines and regions. By bridging science and policy, we turn ideas into action that makes a real difference — for communities today and for generations to come.
Join us, and be part of a community that believes in the power of collaboration to shape the future of water.
Who we are
Where science and policy meet.
IWRA is a non-profit, non-governmental, international member-based Association established in 1971.
We provide a global, knowledge and research based forum working at the interface of science and policy for the sustainable use and management of the world’s water resources.
Our Mission
To be a cross-disciplinary, membership-focused, international association that uses events, projects, publications and research to facilitate and inspire dialogue, knowledge sharing, and science-based solutions for the sustainable management of water resources across all sectors, scales and communities at the interface between science and policy.
Our Vision
To be the leading global platform and community of researchers, educators, policy-influencers, and managers addressing local to global water-related challenges, and improving water outcomes for all.
Our Values
IWRA’s culture is driven by respect, transparency, collaboration and equal opportunity. We foster and value international cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary communication and working practices. We are non-political and care most about the sustainable management of water resources to ensure that they are adequately available for present and future generations and for the environment.
Our impact
Membership
Anniversaries
Congresses
Task Forces
Geographic Chapters
Webinars
Academic Journal
Where science and policy meet
Guided by three core objectives, IWRA works to:
- strengthen its global leadership at the science–policy interface;
- advance knowledge through high-impact publications, projects and policy-relevant outputs; and
- foster global networking and capacity building among water professionals, researchers and decision-makers.
Through these efforts, IWRA aims to deliver lasting impact through influential events, publications and cross-sectoral collaboration.
IWRA's History
Since 1971, we at the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) have brought together water professionals from around the world and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of water resources management, science, and policy. Our journey began with pioneers like Ven Te Chow, our first President, whose vision laid the foundation for a global community dedicated to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation.
Over the years, we have grown together—from the first edition of our World Water Congress in 1973, to the launch of the Islands Water Congress in 2024, and through our journal Water International and a wide range of events and initiatives that connect experts, policymakers, and practitioners. Today, we continue to unite and inspire each other, advancing sustainable water solutions and ensuring that science, practice, and policy work hand in hand for a water-secure future.
President
Yuanyuan Li (China)
Yuanyuan Li is a distinguished authority in water resources management with extensive experience in integrated water resources planning, water governance, water–human system interactions, and water ecology and environmental protection. Over the course of his career, he has led numerous nationwide water resources surveys, strategic studies, and major water infrastructure planning and design initiatives in China, while also contributing to international programmes and cooperation in the water sector.
Professor Li has played a significant role in advancing water resources policy formulation, regulation, and management. He has published extensively on water-related topics, including books and peer-reviewed papers, and his research contributions have been recognised through multiple national science and technology awards.
Closely engaged with the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) for nearly 30 years, Professor Li has been a strong supporter of IWRA’s mission to advance science-based solutions and policy dialogue for sustainable water resources management worldwide. He joined the IWRA Board in 2013 and has made substantial contributions to the Association’s strategic development and global engagement. He served as Vice President from 2019 to 2021 and as President from 2022 to 2024, and is re-elected President for the 2025-2027 term.
Executive Board
Gabriel Eckstein
Alice Aureli
Gary Jones
Rabi Mohtar
Renée Martin-Nagle
Eric Garner
Ariana Rossen
Bassel Daher
Eric Tardieu
Firdaus Ali
Bilge Alpaslan Kocamemi
Henning Bjornlund
Yoonjin Kim
Ganesh Pangare
Dahlia Sabri
Qiuchi Shi
Francesco Sindico
Tom Soo
Jorge Werneck
Executive Office Team
Ignacio Deregibus
Ulrike Kelm
Eliana Harrigan
Zhanna Tlegenova
Diego Zorrilla
Elena Salinas Tuñón
Raya Marina Stephan
Arturo Salazar
Sergio Vallejo
Aubrey Crosby
Jesse Ferraioli
IWRA Executive Committees
The IWRA Awards Committee will develop criteria for all the awards of the Association: Crystal Drop Award, Chow Memorial Lecture, IWRA Distinguished Lecture, and Best Paper(s) Award. The Committee will recommend to the President nominees for all the Awards of the Association. The President will then transmit nominations with his comments to the Executive Board for the final decision.
More information about the IWRA Awards.
Committee Members
- Eric Tardieu – Chair
- Yoonjin Kim
- Ganesh Pangare
- Dahlia Sabri
- Raya Stephan
The Budget and Finance Committee will work with the Executive Office to ensure fiscal and budgetary oversight, develop and monitor the annual budget, review draft annual financials and audits before they are presented to the Executive Board, and propose fiscal and budgetary policies for the Association. The Committee will also oversee activities related to the raising of funds, and will cooperate with the Scientific, Technical and Publications Committee and the External and Public Relations Committees in efforts to solicit grants and funded projects.
Committee Members
- Eric Garner – Chair
- Gary Jones
- Renée Martin – Nagle
- Tom Soo
This Committee will provide oversight for IWRA Chapters and Task Forces to ensure that they function within IWRA’s scope, mission, and vision; explore opportunities to expand Chapters and Task Forces at IWRA. It will provide oversight and explore opportunities for IWRA Chapters and Task Forces to undertake their own initiatives, projects, conferences, events, etc.. And, also it will explore opportunities for IWRA Chapters and Task Forces to coordinate efforts.
Committee Members
- Rabi Mohtar – Chair
- Xiaojun Geng – Co-chair for chapter affairs
- Ariana Rossen – Co-chair for assessment and evaluation
- Dahlia Sabri – Co-chair for future growth
- Raya Marina Stephan – Co-chair for task force affairs
The Congress and Events Committee will work with the Executive Office to identify and evaluate appropriate hosts and venues for IWRA Congresses, conferences, workshops, meetings, and other events, and develop policies related to Congresses and other Association events.
Committee Members
- Gary Jones – Chair
- Bilge Alpaslan Kocamemi
- Firdaus Ali
- Henning Bjornuld
- Bassel Daher
- Yoonjin Kim
- Ganesh Pangare
- Francesco Sindico
Oversees key organisational decisions between board meetings.
Committee Members
- Yuanyuan Li – Chair
- Gabriel Eckstein
- Alice Aureli
- Gary Jones
- Rabi Mohtar
- Renée Martin-Nagle
- Eric Garner
The Membership Committee will develop guidelines on qualifications for membership of various categories, develop means to enhance membership, and stimulate and coordinate active participation by members of the Association. This may involve contacting existing and former members. The Committee will also emphasise enhancing membership benefits and expanding membership among young professionals, and will have oversight over any IWRA Interest Group organised around a professional area (such as young professionals, hydrogeologists, etc.).
Committee Members
- Bassel Daher – Chair
- Yoonjin Kim
- Tom Soo
- Eric Tardieu
The Partnerships and Affiliations Committee will explore IWRA partnerships and affiliations with other non-governmental, inter-governmental, governmental, civil society and private sector institutions. It will also advise and work with the Executive Office on such initiatives.
Committee Members
- Alice Aureli – Chair
- Firdaus Ali
- Ganesh Pangare
- Dahlia Sabri
- Tom Soo
- Jorge Werneck
The Scientific, Technical and Publications Committee will advise and make proposals regarding scientific and technical activities and publications, keeping all the publications and the publications’ policy of the Association under review, including technical standards of Water International. It will make recommendations to the President and Executive Board on the cost schedules of all publications, and for issuing any miscellaneous non-regular volumes. The Committee will also have oversight over any IWRA Task Forces and Interest Groups organised around a substantive research area (such as water pollution, water laws and regulations, etc.).
Committee Members
- Ariana Rossen – Chair
- Henning Bjornlund
- Rabi Mohtar
- James Nickum
- Dahlia Sabri
- Quichi Shi
- Francesco Sindico
- Raya Marina Stephan
- Jorge Werneck
IWRA Governance Documents
Articles of Incorporation
Bylaws
