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IIR's Annual Meeting: New Leadership and Strategic Direction for Sustainable Refrigeration

The IIR's June statutory meetings were very productive in terms of strategy and internal organisation. Here is a brief overview of the main outcomes.

The IIR's Management Committee, Science and Technology Council and its Publications Sub-Committee, and Executive Committee met from 5 to 7 June 2024. The IIR's activities over the past year were approved; a summary is available on the IIR website, showing its actions in full alignment with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

 

A new strategy document was also adopted for the next four years, affirming the IIR's leading role in supporting sustainable refrigeration in all countries thanks to its expertise and all its members. More information will be soon available on the IIR website.

 

The retirement of Didier Coulomb, Director General, due to take effect on 30 September, was marked by a reception attended by most of the delegates from the various countries, section and commission presidents and other guests, including the IIR head office team. Yosr Allouche will succeed Didier Coulomb in October 2024 (see the IIR news A New Era: Dr Yosr Allouche to become the first woman to head the International Institute of Refrigeration).

 

Didier Coulomb and his successor,
Yosr Allouche
 

It was also time to bid farewell to Jean-Luc Dupont, Director of the Scientific and Technical Information Department, and to welcome his successor, Souhir Hammami.

Jean-Luc Dupont
Jean-Luc Dupont, former Director of the STID

 

Souhir Hammami
Souhir Hammami, new Director of the STID

 

Souhir Hammami has been appointed as the new Director of Scientific and Technical Information. An international expert in energy and climate, Souhir brings over 12 years of experience to the role. With a background in electrical and automation engineering, she has received multiple prestigious fellowships and awards for her work on environmental and climate policies and strategies across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Souhir has a proven track record in establishing intercontinental partnerships and implementing sustainable development strategies and mechanisms.

 

Previously, Souhir served as a Senior Energy Specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a position she took on in late 2018. Before joining UNEP, she worked in Germany, Egypt, and Tunisia, focusing on energy and climate policies. During her tenure, she managed the development and implementation of several green cooling financial mechanisms, as well as district heating and cooling projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, the MENA region, and Latin America.