NYC Climate Leader as Keynote Speaker at the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition

With the World Water Congress & Exhibition taking place on 11-15 September, the International Water Association is pleased to announce Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala, Commissioner for Environmental Protection, City of New York, as a keynote speaker during a plenary session on Monday 12 September (09:00 -09:50) where he will outline his Practical Perspective in Building Resilience into Urban Water Management.

Aggarwala is an experienced executive and thought leader in sustainability, environmental, and urban issues. Currently, he is Chief Climate Officer of New York City & Commissioner of Environmental Protection. He led the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, founded the environmental grant making programme at Bloomberg Philanthropies, and served as President of the Board of Directors of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

Commenting on his involvement at the Congress, Aggarwala commented:

“In NYC we are focused on establishing multiple layers of resiliency at different scales to respond to the multiple hazards our changing climate is bringing to the five boroughs.  This includes green infrastructure, grid redundancy, coastal protection projects, emergency communication and much more.  And importantly, this work must move forward with urgency, funding, and partnership with government and individuals. We will do all this with a fierce commitment to environmental justice, and prioritising the most vulnerable communities.”

IWA Executive Director Kala Vairavamoorthy added:

“We are thrilled to have Rohit at our Congress. His experience and involvement with philanthropic efforts promoting the environment and urban sustainability clearly aligns with IWA’s mission and agenda, including our newest project on urban inclusive sanitation.

He will set the tone for an inspiring, forward-looking congress that will leave us with innovative ideas and pioneering thinking on urban sustainability and water.”

The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition will take place in Copenhagen between 11-15 September. The global water community will discuss diverse topics gathered under the theme of water for smart liveable cities. The final outline programme is now available. Please click here.

Registration is open for the event, which also includes a High-Level Summit, business forums, presentation of IWA Awards, and much more. Register now at https://worldwatercongress.org/register/