As UN Special Envoy on Water, Retno Marsudi serves as a champion and high-level advocate on water and sanitation issues, raising water issues high on the political agenda within and outside the UN, convening stakeholders across the spectrum, amplifying the work of the UN system, and mobilizing action and financial resources to address the global water crisis. Mrs. Marsudi assumed her current role on November 1, 2024, bringing almost four decades of distinguished experience in diplomacy, serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia from (2014-October 2024), during which she oversaw the conduct of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali 2024, leading to a consensually agreed Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of the Forum. She provides dedication, reflected through Indonesia’s leadership, including as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2019–2020), President of G20 (2022), Chair of ASEAN (2023), and many other international entities and organizations. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Marsudi was appointed Co-Chair of the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) Engagement Group to support the participation of 92 lower-middle and low-income economies in the COVAX Facility and ensure equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines. She served as Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands (2012-2014), as well as Ambassador to Iceland and Norway (2005–2008).