Marsudi, who will assume the role on 1 November 2024, will act as a "champion and high-level advocate on water and sanitation issues," building on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference as preparations for the 2026 edition begin, a UN press release said.

She will work to "ensure a water-secure future for all...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."

Marsudi will also advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) water agenda by enhancing "international cooperation and synergies...in support of the achievement of all water-related goals and targets."

She will also work with UN-Water and its members to implement the UN System-wide Strategy on Water and Sanitation across all levels, in line with the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework.

Marsudi brings a wealth of diplomatic experience, having served as Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2014 to October 2024. She previously served as ambassador to the Netherlands, Iceland, and Norway.

She was the first woman to hold the position of Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and was inaugurated on 27 October 2014.