Carlos Cosín, CEO of Almar Water Solutions, a leading company in the development of water infrastructure and part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, has been unanimously appointed new President of the International Desalination Association (IDA) for the next period 2019-2021. Carlos, who has been a member of the board since 2013 and treasurer for the last two years, has been elected for his experience in the field of desalination and reuse, and for his great strategic contribution to the association.

The vote and later appointment took place today in Dubai, within the framework of the IDA World Congress, which brings together more than 1,000 professionals from the water industry, and the main CEOs and Directors of the most prestigious companies in the sector. Carlos noted in his speech that:

“As president of this association, myself and the board will work internally to respond to the growing demands of our industry.

In the next two years, we intend to increase IDA’s reach, enabling the association to meet the needs of our members, affiliates, and the market at large.

After many years of prestige and recognition, IDA needs a strategic change that addresses a wider network of stakeholders to help ensure the solutions provided by desalination and water reuse technologies play a role in the development of water sustainability in new geographies and niches such as the industrial sector.

The association must aim to attract new members that contribute to its growth from a business and academic perspective to develop a multidisciplinary and sustainable association with high added value to its members.”

Accompanying the President, Mr. Devesh Sharma has also been named First Vice President and Mr. Alejandro Javier Sturniolo Second Vice President, along with the new Board of Directors for 2019-2021. In the new Board are men and women who are working hard to develop new technologies and projects that secure water to millions of people in all geographies of the planet, and to sectors such as agriculture and industry.

Carlos Cosín ended his speech by stating that:

“I think the current evolution of the desalination market is a key moment for IDA. It is time for the Association to extend their activities to new stakeholders in utilities, in legal firms, in financial institutions. IDA should reach out to new industry players, as well as deepen its involvement in reuse applications and innovative technology.”

Fady M. Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel congratulated Carlos saying:

“It is a fitting testament to the dedication of the Almar team under Mr. Cosin’s leadership, and the commitment of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy to playing a significant role in solving the World’s water challenge for Carlos to take the helm of this global association, congratulations!”

The new president of the IDA has a great professional background in the water sector, and has worked for companies such as US Filter, Veolia, Abengoa and Almar Water Solutions. In his current position as CEO of Almar Water Solutions, he has already closed several desalination and water treatment projects in Africa and the Middle East.

The International Desalination Association is the point of connection for the global desalination and water reuse community. A non-profit association, IDA serves more than 2,600 core members in 60 countries and reaches an additional 4,000 affiliate members. Its membership comprises scientists, end-users, engineers, consultants and researchers from governments, corporations and academia. IDA is associated with the United Nations as part of a growing international network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).