Looking back on your Presidency, how do you see Water Europe today compared to when you first took office?
Hans Goossens: When I took office, Water Europe was already a strong and respected community, bringing together outstanding expertise from across the water sector. What has changed over the past four years is that we have become clearer about our purpose and stronger in our impact. We have sharpened our vision around the Water-Smart Society, strengthened member engagement, and positioned Water Europe as a trusted voice in European policy discussions.
Today, Water Europe is not only a platform for exchange; it is a community driving transformation. We have helped place water much higher on the European agenda and demonstrated that water is not merely an environmental issue, but a strategic priority for Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and security.
As you step into this role, what excites you most about leading Water Europe at this moment?
Ilari Aho: Over the last years we have contributed succesfully to ensuring a visible and central role for water in the European policy context and at the same time strengthened Water Europe’s position and role. This situation provides a great starting point for increasing our focus on implementation and market impact.
The Water Europe community is unique in its structure, breadth and representation of the entire water value chain. It is indeed the community that gives us our possibilities for influencing market and policy development, and is also personally for me the greatest potential source of learning and growth
What do you consider the defining achievements of the past four years?
Hans Goossens: I would highlight three achievements.
First, we strengthened Water Europe itself. Through the member journey exercise, we looked at our organisation through the eyes of our members and improved how people engage, contribute and create value within the community.
Second, we sharpened the Water-Smart Society vision. We clarified the value of water as our core principle and further developed a common framework around water security, sustainability and resilience as the outcomes we seek to achieve.
Third, we translated that vision into concrete political influence. Together, we advocated for strategic leadership on water at European level, contributed to the emergence of a European Water Resilience Strategy, and consistently called for greater investment in water. Seeing water move to the centre of European policymaking is something our entire community can be proud of.
How are you planning to build on these elements throughout your presidency?
Ilari Aho: First of all, I couldn’t agree more on the importance of the three achievements Hans highlights. These provide a solid foundation for success in the future.
While we of course have to ensure continuity in organisational development, advocacy on and further strengthening of the vision and building and maintaining our relevance in influencing policies,, the next years should to a growing extent be about implementation and market development.
Water-Smart Society vision provides a strong set of guiding principles and the European policy framework builds the boundary conditions necessary for market development and deployment. However, the final transformation to a water-smart society comes only through actions by all of us in the water value chain, by the financial value chain around us, and at the end by all those the use, enjoy and benefit from water in its many forms.
Europe is facing many challenges, from climate resilience and water security to industrial competitiveness and the green transition. How has Water Europe’s role evolved in responding to these challenges?
Hans Goossens: Over the years, Water Europe’s role has evolved from being primarily a knowledge and innovation platform to becoming a recognised strategic partner in shaping Europe’s response to these challenges.
We have demonstrated that water is not a sector operating in isolation. Water is connected to food, energy, industry, climate adaptation, public health and economic development. As a result, Water Europe increasingly acts as a bridge between research, innovation, utilities, industry and policymakers. We help translate knowledge into action and bring different stakeholders together around practical solutions that support a Water-Smart Society.
Ilari Aho: Water sits firmly at the centre of practically all of the challenges Europe is facing. Water Europe has been successful in articulating and demonstrating the role of water and the links and connections water has with all societal and economic activities.
Water Europe started as a “traditional” technology platform focusing on sectoral issues, but has evolved into a multidisciplinary hub and connector of different sectors through the value of water. In my view the most important single development in the role of Water Europe has been our evolution as a strategic technology-neutral partner for policy makers.
Every Presidency brings unexpected challenges and valuable lessons. What have been your biggest learnings?
Hans Goossens: One of my biggest learnings is that transformation starts with people. Strategies, position papers and policies are important, but lasting change only happens when people share a common vision and feel part of a collective journey.
A second lesson is that persistence matters. Many of the achievements we see today—the stronger political recognition of water and the development of a European Water Resilience Strategy—were not achieved overnight. They required years of consistent advocacy and collaboration across our membership.
Finally, I learned once again that the water community is strongest when it speaks with one voice. Our diversity is a strength, but our influence grows when we can translate that diversity into a shared ambition for Europe’s future.
Which are your priorities for the first period of your presidency?
Ilari Aho: Water Europe has a good position and a solid performance
My first priority is to ensure that we maintain and develop what we have
Second, sometimes success comes with the risk of complacency, and we must ensure that we maintain our momentum and do not take the current situation for granted.
And third, we should take an increasing role in implementation, either directly through action by and with our members and partners or indirectly through stimulating market deployment.
What is your message for Water Europe’s members and wider community?
Hans Goossens: My message is first and foremost one of gratitude.
Everything we have achieved has been made possible by the commitment, expertise and energy of our members. Water Europe has always been more than an organisation; it is a community of people who believe that water must be valued, protected and managed wisely.
I encourage all members to remain ambitious. Europe has made significant progress, but the work is far from finished. Water security, resilience and sustainability will continue to shape Europe’s future. Water Europe has an important role to play in that journey, and I am confident that under Ilari’s leadership the organisation will continue to grow in influence and impact.
Most importantly, let us continue working together towards our shared vision: a truly Water-Smart Society where water is recognised not as a constraint, but as a strategic asset for people, prosperity and the planet.
What does the vision of a Water-Smart Society mean to you today, and what should it mean by the end of this decade?
Ilari Aho: Today the vision for Water-Smart Society is aspirational and provides direction and guidance. For me it defines the principles and frameworks for striving towards a future that values, safeguards and preserves water as the most important natural resource we have.
By the end of this decade it should have evolved to a blueprint for execution. With the climate challenges we currently face, we do not have decades for remaining aspirational only; the future of our economy, society and children require action now, not far in the future.
