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Simalabwi is the Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) Southern Africa and Head of GWP Africa Coordination Unit. He is GWP’s global lead on climate change and Global Coordinator of the Water, Climate and Development Programme at GWP HQ, an international organisation set up by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme and government of Sweden. He is an international development professional with expertise in water resources, economic development, investment strategy design and public policy.

Simalabwi has extensive experience in climate change adaptation and water resources management. He co-chaired the World Bank Expert Group for climate resilience, advised the Bank where to invest its climate funds among 34 countries worldwide. He conceived, developed and leads a programme for investments preparation, water security and climate resilient development across 60 countries spanning four continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. He has advised more than 20 countries and governments on integration of water into economic national development.

He is the lead author of the report Water Security for Development in Africa and also led the development of the African Union strategic framework for water security and climate resilient development. He holds postgraduate qualifications in business (MBA), civil engineering and a Master’s in public policy from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

Nasr is the Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space SAS and Head of France, UK, Middle East and Africa for the Airbus Defence and Space division.

His career began 1986 at Aerospatiale, where he was in charge of developing the Image Processing Business, which he led beginning 1990. 

He was named Chairman and CEO of Fleximage in Paris in 1997, which specialised in image analysis software for intelligence services. Under his leadership, Fleximage’s turnover was increased fivefold.

Nasr was promoted to President and CEO of Spot Image in 2001, which handles the commercial distribution of Spot satellites imagery.

In July 2005, he joined European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Defence & Security as President of EADS Secure Networks, and then as CEO of the Integrated Systems unit.

He then became President of Cassidian SAS and Head of Cassidian France & Security Solutions, including secure communications and cyber security.

Born in 1961, he graduated from the Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité in 1985 with a degree in engineering. In 1989, he obtained a PhD in physics. Nasr has been awarded the Chevalier ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur and ordre national du Mérite, French orders of merit for military and civil merits. He holds a pilot license.