Dr. Károly Kovács PhD (oec), past president and honorary member of the European Water Association (EWA), chairman of the working group on economics of EWA, member of the Strategic Council of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA), member of several EU-level water-related organisations (Joint Programming Initiatives, European Innovation Partnership on Water, Strategic Coordination Group (SCG), etc.) and past-member of the European Commission's Platform on Sustainable Finance, and vice president of ASEM WATER Academic and Development Committee, he has been working for decades in the field of sustainable and affordable water infrastructure development, having the value of water and the water smart society in the focus. His extensive expertise and deep understanding of EU sustainability values enable him to advance the EU Blue Deal and promote water-smart strategies, applying his knowledge in drinking water and wastewater solutions to address today’s critical water and sanitation challenges.