Opening Event

Mrs. Marsudi brings distinguished experience in diplomacy with almost four decades, serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia from (2014 – October 2024), during which she oversaw the conduct of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali 2024, leading to a consensually agreed Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of the Forum.

She showed high dedication, reflected through Indonesia’s leadership, including as a non- permanent member of the UN Security Council (2019 – 2020), President of G20 (2022), ChairofASEAN(2023),andmanyotherinternationalentitiesandorganizations. In2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Marsudi was appointed Co-Chair of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) Engagement Group to support the participation of 92 lower-middle and low-income economies in the COVAX Facility and ensure equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines. She served as Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands (2012 – 2014), as well as Ambassador to Iceland and Norway (2005–2008).

She is now the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Water since 1st November 2024, after completing her government service.

Monika Jones is an international news anchor and conference moderator with over 20 years of experience. Monika started her TV career as a business anchor at Deutsche Welle before moving to the Science Desk to report on the Covid19 pandemic. Monika regularly chairs high-level panels at the G7, the G20 and the UN Climate Change Conferences, among others. A highlight of her career to date was hosting the livestream events for ESA’s historic Rosetta mission, during which the Philae space probe landed on a comet in search of the origins of life.

– Lawyer specialising in territorial governance

– 2009-2013: Teaching and research activities in the field of public law

– Since 2015: Civil administrator

– Former Département prefect

– Since 2022: Secretary General at the Senegalese Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation

– Administration Council Member of the following societies in the organisational system of the Senegal River Basin Development Authority (OMVS): Conseils d’Administration de Sociétés du système de l’Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Sénégal (OMVS), Société de Gestion et d’Exploitation de la Navigation du Fleuve Sénégal (SOGENAV), Société de Gestion de l’Énergie des Ouvrages du Haut Bassin du Fleuve Sénégal en Guinée (SOGEOH)

– Coordinator of the Select Committee for project realisation of the Senegalese Water Code and the preparation of draft laws relating to the Senegalese regulatory authority for the water sector

– Representative of the Senegalese Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation at several international meetings related to ‘water’

As Water Envoy, Meike raises water awareness, builds coalitions across countries and organizations, and shares knowhow for a water secure world.

Van Ginneken is a recognized water leader who has helped to provide millions of people with access to water & sanitation and energy services. Van Ginneken has interspersed executive headquarter positions at international organizations with extended periods living and working in Africa, Asia and Latin-America. She served as UN Assistant Secretary General at the International Fund for Agricultural Development. As Chief Executive Officer of SNV Netherlands Development Organization, Van Ginneken headed a knowledge-driven organization with 1,400 specialized staff working on food, water, and energy. Between 2002 and 2017, Van Ginneken held various leadership positions at the World Bank. She managed the World Bank’s US$5B energy portfolio in West & Central Africa and its US$6B water portfolio in South Asia.

Jenny Holtermann is a fourth generation California farmer, who grew up on her family’s almond and walnut farm in Northern California. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Agribusiness Marketing and Fruit Science. Since 2009, Jenny and her husband, Tim, farm almonds with her husband’s family in the Southern Central Valley. Jenny is a water consultant in which she is the Executive Director of the Water Association of Kern County as well as the Executive Director of the Kern Non-Districted Lands Authority, working to educate the community on water issues.

Jenny is an active advocate for agriculture and serves on numerous boards to enhance the agriculture voice. Jenny is a fellow in the EU-US Transatlantic Fellowship for Young Agriculture Leaders. She is the Past President of Kern County Farm Bureau and a board member of the California Farm Bureau Board of Directors as the Rural Health and Safety Chair. She is past chair of California Young Farmers & Ranchers and is a graduate of the American Farm Bureau Partners in Advocacy Leadership Class 10.