Concepción Marcuello

Candidate for:

Vice-President for Europe

Biography 

Conchita  is a Civil Engineer by the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain), with speciality in Hydraulics and Energy. To date, she has developed  all her professional activity in the world of water. After her time in the  private sector, she became a civil servant. As an official she has held various positions in the Center for Hydrographic Studies of CEDEX,  involved in several projects in physical modeling at the hydraulics laboratory, then involved in  floods risk management  and finally coordinating the international activities of the Center. In  2013  she took the position of  Deputy Assistant Director in the Sub-Directorate General of Planning and Sustainable Use of Water in the General Directorate of Water of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, from where  she mainly was involved in the promotion and regulation  of water reuse, and application of earth observation on water planning. Since October 2019 she took a new position in the Support Unit to the General Director of Water, where she coordinates the international water issues.

Statement

It is a great privilege for me to have been nominated as a candidate for the IAHR Vice-Presidency for Europe. 

In a world where the environment is facing significant pressures, such as population development, growing demand for food and energy resources along with climate change, hydro-environmental engineering research is critical to address impacts on water resources, the quality and quantity of which are increasingly compromised. 

The IAHR must play a relevant role in moving towards a world with greater water and environmental security. The division for Europe in particular can provide numerous examples and success stories for the other regional divisions, so as a candidate for VP for Europe, I am committed to:

• From my position as the Ministry's representative in Spain-Water, to elevate the role of the IAHR in the international water agenda, recognising the high added value of its networks and members in the research and development of innovative technologies that promote water and environmental security through the three thematic pillars of the Strategy for the period 2025-2027.

• Promote the role of artificial intelligence and digital transformation for more efficient and resilient management of water resources.

• Promote dialogue between science and policy for the incorporation of innovative solutions in integrated water resources management, through publications and conferences.

• Highlight the important role of the combination of green and grey water infrastructures and their proper maintenance in achieving the SDG6 sustainable development goal on sustainable access to water and sanitation for all. 

I also commit myself to strengthen the role of the IAHR, with the support of all regional divisions, in its ability to strengthen and provide higher water education with the highest quality, through initiatives such as the IAHR seal and participation in the SDG6 Capacity Development Initiative.

If elected, I will be delighted to be able to serve the IAHR community and work collaboratively to maintain the IAHR's leadership as a global reference association.

Thanks for your support!.