After nearly three weeks on the road, from the Netherlands to Argentina and then straight onward to Italy, all I can say is this has been one of the most rewarding stretches of travel in my time with ISWA. These back-to-back events reminded me, once again, why the ISWA community is truly something special. No matter where in the world we come from, the energy, commitment, and passion for sustainable waste and resource management shine through every interaction.
My journey began in Buenos Aires for the ISWA World Congress 2025. This was my very first trip to Latin America. And what an experience it was! The warmth of the people, the richness of the culture, and yes, the incredible food made it unforgettable.
The congress itself was both professionally enriching and culturally immersive, from tango-filled evenings to empanadas shared among colleagues who’ve become friends. I also have to quote my colleague, Jose Uribe, who says this is the Christmas for ISWA members, and I cannot agree more!
One of the highlights was connecting with so many of our members during the welcome reception and gala dinner. And amidst all the fun, important work was completed too 😉 we held a very successful General Assembly, with excellent representation from our National Members and Ambassadors.
One of the highlights was connecting with so many of our members during the welcome reception and gala dinner. And amidst all the fun, important work was completed too 😉 we held a very successful General Assembly, with excellent representation from our National Members and Ambassadors.
A huge congratulations to Marcelo, Maria, Lucia, Atilio, and the entire organising team for delivering a world-class congress. The momentum growing across the LAC region is remarkable, and I am excited to see how the sector continues evolving in the coming years.
From there, I travelled straight to Rimini for ECOMONDO, where I had the pleasure of reconnecting with ISWA members and partners from across Europe. This year was particularly meaningful, as we teamed up with CIWM to promote the upcoming ISWA World Congress 2026 in London. The enthusiasm is already palpable, and it was wonderful working alongside Ginny, Maddison, Vicki, and the whole team who supported the ISWA booth with such professionalism and positivity.
During ECOMONDO, we also organised a dedicated session together with our National Member of Italy, focusing on waste technologies. Despite being hosted in the middle of a bustling expo, the session was well attended with around 80 participants who was lively and engaging. It really showed how strong the appetite for knowledge exchange remains within our community.
And of course, none of these successes would be possible without my incredible ISWA colleagues. Their dedication, teamwork, and spirit made these intense weeks not just manageable, but enjoyable.
These experiences reaffirm what I love most about ISWA: its people. Meeting members in person builds relationships that no email or Teams call can replicate. These global events are more than programmes and agendas — they are opportunities to reconnect, collaborate, share ideas, and inspire each other toward a more sustainable future.
Until the next ISWA gathering — see you soon at IFAT Saudi Arabia and IFAT Munich!
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