A NEW SECRETARY GENERAL AT CIPEL
Newly appointed to this key position after an international selection process, Mrs. Nicole GALLINA takes over from Mrs. Audrey KLEIN and will commit herself to continue with the existing team the numerous missions of CIPEL.
A biologist with a master's degree in environmental sciences in aquatic ecotoxicology, Ms. Gallina first worked at the State of Geneva and the University of Geneva as a hydrobiologist. She then turned to an academic career, obtaining a Ph.D. on the effects of climate change on water quality in deep peri-alpine lakes as well as two postdoctoral fellowships, in New Zealand and Geneva, in the fields of water quality modeling and aquatic physics. These experiences have allowed her to work for 15 years in the context of lake ecology, particularly in the Lake Geneva region. In addition, she has acquired a solid experience in project management and in the direction of organizations active in the fields of soft mobility, environment and health. With a command of five languages, Ms. Gallina will be able to establish links and promote Lake Geneva in a particularly wide area.
"I am delighted to take on the role of Secretary General of the CIPEL and I am honored by the confidence shown in me by the heads of the French and Swiss delegations.
Lake Geneva has a very special value for me. This precious resource with its exceptional and inspiring beauty never ceases to amaze me. For many years, Lake Geneva has been at the heart of my scientific work related to aquatic ecology. Moreover, it represents an essential landmark in my daily life, living near its shores for 20 years.
Lake Geneva and its watershed constitute a rich cultural heritage and have great ecological, social and economic importance. Lake Geneva is the largest natural lake in Western Europe and is the natural link between Switzerland and France. In addition, it provides numerous ecosystem services such as drinking water and electricity production, transportation, fishing, tourism and recreation. Its watershed is home to 1.6 million people, more than half of whom rely on Lake Geneva for their drinking water. Its biodiversity is considerable. Given the ecological richness of Lake Geneva, some of its surfaces have been classified as natural zones of ecological interest for fauna and flora. Wetlands of major interest, registered under the RAMSAR convention, also continue to exist.
Today, Lake Geneva is in good condition. This is the result of the pioneering, committed and responsible management of the CIPEL, an honorable effort carried out for more than 60 years. Through its missions and actions, CIPEL has succeeded in protecting the waters of Lake Geneva.
However, many pressures continue to threaten Lake Geneva. They are due to population growth, intensification of land use, the presence of micropollutants, the invasion of exogenous biological species, the proliferation of potentially toxic algae, hydrological changes and, of course, climate change. Pressures that have a direct impact on rare natural habitats, biodiversity, water quality and water resource management.
In this context, it is essential to do everything possible to meet these challenges that weaken Lake Geneva and its watershed. A healthy ecosystem rich in biodiversity is more resilient and will be better prepared to maintain its balance in the face of internal changes, shocks and external disturbances.
I am confident that these major challenges will be met through strengthened, coherent and promising cross-border management, and through fruitful and rewarding cooperation between all the players in Lake Geneva. Elected officials, public authorities, scientists, experts, but also users, on both the French and Swiss sides, all have a role to play!
The perspective pursued thus aims not only at further expanding the network of actors through targeted, popularized and engaging communication, but also at fostering the exchange of knowledge beyond the Franco-Swiss border: to inspire other international institutions that fulfill similar missions to those of the CIPEL.
It is with this motivation that I look forward to contributing to the challenges facing the protection of the waters of Lake Geneva. Together with my secretariat staff, I will ensure the good management of the commission, with the aim of successfully implementing the 2021-2030 action plan.
In closing, I would like to thank all stakeholders in advance for their commitment and our close collaboration."
You will find below its coordinates:
- Mrs Nicole GALLINA
Telephone : +41 (0)58 460 46 69
E-mail : n.gallina@cipel.org
Postal address : CIPEL - Route de Duillier 50, CP 1080 - CH-1260 Nyon 1
The CIPEL is delighted to be able to benefit from its competences to pursue and intensify the collaborations and the relations which unite the numerous partners working for the future of Lake Geneva.
