Boston, MA, USA – July 23, 2026. The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Yvonne Zhou, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), as Special Advisor to IDRA. 

This appointment reflects IDRA’s commitment to strengthening the connection between global water strategy, finance, and policy. As Special Advisor, Ms. Zhou will provide strategic guidance to advance IDRA’s mission of integrating innovation, investment, and policy to secure a sustainable water future. 

Ms. Zhou brings more than two decades of consulting experience to the role. At BCG she serves as the firm’s global topic leader for water, its global lead for climate and sustainability in the public sector, and the lead for agriculture, water, and the environment across the Middle East. Based in Riyadh, she has worked extensively with governments, infrastructure companies, development banks, and industry on green transformation, sustainable food and water, climate adaptation and resilience, and digital transformation. 

Her recent work has focused on advancing water security, sustainability, and resilience across the Middle East, helping shape strategies that position water as a driver of long-term economic growth and development. 

“Her leadership at BCG, combined with a rare blend of global water strategy expertise and deep regional insight, makes Yvonne’s appointment especially timely as we prepare to bring the global water community to Saudi Arabia for the IDRA World Congress, hosted by the Saudi Water Authority under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture,” said Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA. “At a pivotal moment for our sector, as demand for resilient water solutions continues to grow, her guidance will help IDRA strengthen the connections between innovation, investment, and policy needed to accelerate meaningful progress worldwide.” 

“It is a privilege to join IDRA at such a pivotal moment for the water sector,” said Ms. Zhou. “Desalination and reuse are central to water security, economic development, and climate resilience. I look forward to helping IDRA advance practical, scalable solutions that bring governments, industry, and investors together.” 

IDRA’s Special Advisors include leaders from the public and private sectors, academia, and finance, representing a global network of more than 60 countries. The Association fully supports the UN Water Action Agenda, driving innovation and integration across the global water community. Established in 1973, IDRA holds UN ECOSOC and UNFCCC status and is a partner of UN Water and the FAO WASAG Program. 

ENDS 
 

Media Contact: Communications@idrawater.org 

 
ABOUT IDRA 
The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing desalination and water reuse as essential solutions to global water scarcity. Founded in 1973, IDRA serves as the authoritative platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advocacy across the water sector. Its network spans utilities, technology providers, engineering firms, researchers, policymakers, financiers, and other stakeholders from more than 60 countries. 

IDRA holds consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is an accredited observer to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is a member of UN-Water. IDRA is a Trusted Partner of the United Nations. 

The IDRA World Congress 2026 is the sector’s leading global gathering, held from 1 to 5 November 2026 in Riyadh under the theme “Driving Global Water Sustainability Through Innovation.” Hosted by the Saudi Water Authority under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, it convenes regulators, utilities, researchers, and industry leaders from more than 60 countries for a peer-reviewed technical program, high-level sessions, a global exhibition, and the launch of the International Water Regulations Forum.