Dr Birguy Lamizana Diallo is a broad-based development professional with over 25 years working in the environmental services institutions. Skilled in Sustainable Development, Environmental Issues, Water Quality, Biodiversity, and Environmental Impact Assessment, she is a strong community and social services professional. Birguy hold an Engineer degree in Water Resources Management and PhD in Freshwater Ecology. Currently, Birguy leads the Sahel Initiatives at the Global Mechanism at UNCCD based in Bonn. Prior to joining UNCCD, she was managing the Wastewater portfolio in UNEP. Birguy has also worked with IUCN, coordinating the West Africa Regional wetlands and water resources programme; with Global Water Partnership as the regional coordinator for Africa Water Development and with the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Technical Advisor for their Water Partnership Programme Trust fund. Dr Lamizana Diallo is a steering committee member of the CEM/IUCN in charge of Wetlands, drylands and urban ecosystems.