Urban & Water Thematic group event
Speakers:
- Jaime Melo Baptista is a Civil Engineer specialized in Sanitary Engineering with over 45 years of experience. Founder and current strategic advisor at LIS-Water. Former President of LIS-Water (2020-2023). Former President of ERSAR, the Regulatory Authority for Water and Waste Services (2003-2015). Coordinating Researcher at LNEC, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (1977-2023), Director of the Hydraulic Department (1990-2000), and Head of the Sanitary Hydraulics Unit (1980-1989). Commissioner for Portugal at the 8th World Water Forum (2017-2018). Former Board Member (2012-2016) and Strategic Council Member (2010-2014) of the International Water Association (IWA). International Consultant on public policy and water regulation (2015-2017). Author of over 500 technical and scientific publications, including the book ‘The Regulation of Water and Waste Services: An Integrated Approach (Rita-Ersar)’.
- Rita Amaral, Ph.D in Civil Engineering and post-graduation in management. Executive Director at the Lisbon International Center for Water (LIS-Water). Dr Amaral has 14 years of experience in the water and sanitation sector as consultant and researcher. She is an expert in the design of public policies, regulation, strategic investment planning and asset management. Over the past 5 years, she has been supporting governments and regulators in more than 40 countries around the world in implementing sector reforms and improving regulatory frameworks. She has also supported the Government of Portugal in defining the national strategy for the water and sanitation sector for 2030.
Discussants:
- Yogita Upadya Mumssen is the Water Global Solutions Manager for the World Bank where she manages and leads the Global Solutions Unit comprising about 30 staff and provides strategic direction in delivering cutting edge technical solutions, advice and global knowledge into implementation, with the aim of supporting operational teams based in the regional units that deliver programs to Bank clients. Prior to this she was Practice Manager for Western and Central Africa, where she managed a team and portfolio that focuses on sustaining water resources, delivering water, sanitation and irrigation services, and building resilience in 22 countries of West and Central Africa, and led the development of a strategy for enhanced water security for the region. Yogita previously managed water, sanitation, and electricity projects in the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean. She has also created and managed regional and global multi-donor trust funds that cover an array of sectors and development approaches. Yogita was a Presidential Exchange Fellow at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she worked in IFC’s Global Infrastructure Investment unit. She has worked extensively on regulation, institutional reform, sector restructuring, private sector participation, results-based financing and pro-poor service delivery across the infrastructure sectors. She has degrees from Brown University and the London School of Economics.
- Claire Chase is a Senior Water Economist in the Global Director’s Office of the World Bank’s Water Practice where she supports strategic engagement with high-level partners to set the global water agenda, internal advocacy efforts, and manages corporate knowledge flows and reporting. She has over 15 years of experience in the water and sanitation sector, supporting governments to design and finance investments, facilitate sector reforms, and strengthen capacity to reduce poverty and boost equity. Claire is also the World Bank focal point for Water and Health. Prior to joining the World Bank, she was a visiting researcher with the Barcelona Center for International Health Research in Mozambique. She holds a master’s degree in Population and International Health Economics from Harvard University School of Public Health and has authored peer-reviewed publications on a range of health and development topics.
Moderator: Gustavo Saltiel is an international Consultant in water and sustainable development, with over 30 years of experience. Before retiring in late 2024, he served as the Global Lead for Water Supply and Sanitation at the World Bank, where he directed global knowledge initiatives and offered operational guidance to teams across various regions. His career encompasses significant roles, including General Manager of Aguas Bonaerenses in Argentina, overseeing water services for 2.5 million residents, and leadership positions in both private and regulatory water entities. Since joining the World Bank in 2003, he has held pivotal positions such as Senior Water Engineer for Latin America, Sector Leader for Sustainable Development in Mexico, and Program Manager in Africa, where he led initiatives like the Nile Basin and Cooperation in International Waters programs.
Registrations:
In-Person MC 1-860 (1818 Society conference room)
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