Missing You - Passing of Catarina de Albuquerque : Shared by Ian MacLeod

I am sharing for XUNICEF blog a small tribute to our recently passed champion for child rights and for the right to water & sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque who passed away far too early in life last week.

Kind regards... Ian

A Life of Purpose: Honouring Catarina de Albuquerque

Catarina de Albuquerque, who passed away on 7 October 2025 far too young at the age of 55, leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.

A pioneering lawyer and global advocate, Catarina devoted her life to ensuring that every person - regardless of circumstance - could access the most basic and essential human rights: safe drinking water and sanitation. Her lasting contribution can be found in every community that now has clean water, in every child whose rights are protected, and in every advocate who carries her torch forward.

Born in Lisbon in 1970, Catarina’s early education her legal studies at the University of Lisbon laid the foundation for a remarkable international career. Her legal brilliance and deep empathy quickly drew her into the world of human rights, where she became a very influential voice of our generation.

One of Catarina’s mentors from this early time and right throughout her career was our dear colleague Marta Santos Pais.

Between 2004 and 2008 she presided over the negotiations of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which the UN General Assembly approved by consensus on 10 December 2008. She also participated in the development of several other international human rights standards, including the two Optional Protocols: one on the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, and the one on Sale of Children, Child Pornography and Child Prostitution.

In 2008, Catarina was appointed the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. Her work in this role was groundbreaking. She travelled to communities across the globe, listening to those most affected by water insecurity, and brought their voices to the highest levels of international decision-making. Her tireless advocacy helped lead to the UN General Assembly’s historic recognition of water and sanitation as human rights in 2010 - a milestone that reshaped global development priorities and inspired action in countries around the world.

Catarina’s leadership continued at Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), where she served as Executive Chair and later as CEO. Under her guidance, SWA evolved into a dynamic global partnership, uniting governments, civil society, and international organizations in the pursuit of universal access to water and sanitation.

Beyond her institutional roles, Catarina was a gifted educator and mentor. She taught law at universities in Portugal, the United States, and Europe, and advised organizations including UNICEF, UNDP, and the European Commission.

Her contributions were recognized with the Human Rights Golden Medal from the Portuguese Parliament and the Order of Merit from the President of Portugal - honours that reflected not only her national pride but her global impact.

To those who knew her - and I am one of those fortunate people - Catarina was more than a professional force. She was a friend, a listener, and a source of inspiration. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life lived with extraordinary purpose. Catarina showed the world that change is possible - and that it begins with listening, with empathy, and with the courage to speak truth to power.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to Catarina’s family. In this time of sorrow, I hope they find comfort in knowing how deeply she was admired and respected by those of us who had the privilege to work alongside her.
…………………………………………………..

Following are a few photos of Catarina on a mission we took together in northern Namibia in 2011 when she was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.