Dr. Stefan Uhlenbrook

Stefan Uhlenbrook currently serves as Director of Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since September 2022, following impactful leadership roles in major water-focused organizations. His career spans multiple prestigious positions, including Director of Water, Food and Ecosystems at IWMI (2019-2022), Coordinator of UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme (2015-2019), and Deputy Director and Acting Director at UNESCO-IHE (2005-2015). After completing his Ph.D. (1999) and habilitation (2003) at the University of Freiburg, Germany, he has dedicated his career to advancing water science and policy. His expertise encompasses water management, hydrological processes, river basin modeling, and the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus. As a professor at IHE-Delft and Delft University of Technology, he has contributed significantly to water education while leading numerous projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, and MENA regions. His work focuses on translating scientific knowledge into effective policies and strategies for environmental sustainability, particularly in addressing global water challenges. In his current role at WMO, he leads initiatives to strengthen early warning systems for floods and droughts while advancing water resources assessment and management worldwide. His commitment to water science and policy is reflected in over 150 peer-reviewed publications and his leadership in various international water initiatives.