New World Water Council President Pledges Continuity, Innovation

The World Water Council elected a new President, Benedito Braga, during its 6th General Assembly in Marseilles, France. Braga, a Brazilian national and a professor of civil and environmental engineering, was unanimously elected by the Council’s 36-member Board of Governors. The election took place during the Council's triennial General Assembly, which was attended by more than 240 participants. Addressing the Board, Braga pledged to continue the efforts of his predecessor Loïc Fauchon to reinvigorate the Council’s capacity to produce new water policies around the world. Braga said his motto would be "continuity with change and innovation."

In a press release, the Council outlined its strategic direction in water security for: essential human needs; economic development; and environmental sustainability. UN-HABITAT Director-General Joan Clos expressed support for the WWC's work on urbanization and local authorities.

The World Water Council is an organization of over 300 members from more than 60 countries, in five membership categories: intergovernmental organizations; governments and governmental authorities; enterprises and facilities; civil society, including water user associations; and professional associations and academic institutions.