Who we are

The World Resources Forum (WRF) is a science-based platform to exchange knowledge about the economic, political, social and environmental implications of global resource use. WRF promotes innovation for resource productivity by building bridges among researchers, policymakers, business, NGOs and the public. 

Background

The Swiss-based materials research institute and think-tank Empa, part of the prestigious ETH Domain, has with much success organised international conferences on recycling and re-use of resources since 1993. In 2009 Empa together with the Factor 10 Institute decided to broaden the scope of the conferences to include the full life-cycle of products and services. And so the series of conferences became the World Resources Forum, which has attracted high-level politicians and scientists from all over the world. Another strong supporter from the very beginning was the Swiss Academy for Engineering Sciences (SATW).

After the successful 2009 WRF Conference, government and science leaders suggested initiating a WRF Association, an independent entity not only overseeing the organisation of the conferences but also developing activities that optimise the effectiveness of the conferences for the major stakeholders.


Establishment of the World Resources Forum Association

The WRF Association has officially been established on March 16, 2012 with support from a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector. Influential leaders have joined the effort and Bas de Leeuw (former UNEP) has become Managing Director. If you are interested to become a member of the Association, you will find more information here


Organisational Chart


Team

The activities of the WRF are coordinated by the WRF Secretariat, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

  • Bas de Leeuw
    Managing Director

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 77 72
    bas.deleeuw@worldresourcesforum.org
  • Martin Lehmann
    Conference Manager; Scientific submissions, Speaker management, Workshops and Exhibition coordination

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 78 52 & +41-58-765 42 74
    martin.lehmann@worldresourcesforum.org
  • Kurt Reichmuth
    Project Associate
    ; Administration and Finance 

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 78 59
    kurt.reichmuth@worldresourcesforum.org

 
  • Fritz Beglinger
    Project Associate
    ; Business Outreach, Finance and Sustainability 

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 78 59
    fritz.beglinger@worldresourcesforum.org 

 
  • Katharina Meyer
    Project Associate; Business Outreach & Sponsoring

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 75 90
    katharina.meyer@worldresourcesforum.org
  • Thomas Ruddy
    Project Associate; Translations, Bibliography, Event Calendar
  • Tobias Welz
    Project Associate
    ; LCA, Sustainable Consumption and Production, Sustainable Catering, Food products & lighting devices

    World Resources Forum Secretariat
    Empa Building
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 78 59
    tobias.welz@worldresourcesforum.org

 


  • Urs Bünter
    Technical Support, Media and PR

    Empa
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 76 02
    urs.buenter@empa.ch
  • Maria Schönenberger
    Conference Secretariat; Hotel reservations; Bookings & Administration

    Empa
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 74 00
    maria.schoenenberger@empa.ch
  • Therese Meier
    Conference Secretariat; Hotel reservations and registration

    Empa
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 74 00
    therese.meier@empa.ch
  • Alexandra Schutzbach 
    Conference Secretariat; Hotel reservations and registration

    Empa
    Lerchenfeldstr. 5
    CH-9014 St. Gallen
    Phone: +41-58-765 76 72
    alexandra.schutzbach@empa.ch
  • Laura Iten
    former Project Associate (2011-2012)
 
  • Natasha C. Chan
    former External Project Associate 
    (2011)