WAS Announces New Advisory Committee and Leadership Transition
- WAS Digital
- Jun 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 29
PRESS RELEASE
[Brisbane, Australia] – A New Chapter Begins for the World Association for Sexual Health
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19 June 2025
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is pleased to announce the election of a new Advisory Committee (AC) for the 2025–2029 term. The announcement was made on Thursday, 19 June, during the Closing Ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane, Australia, following the official vote of the WAS General Assembly the previous day.
The Advisory Committee (AC), WAS’s second-highest leadership body, ensures the stability and continuity of the organization. Elected by member organizations from across all world regions, the new AC brings together deep expertise and diverse lived experience from the field of sexual health and rights.
As part of this transition, the newly elected Advisory Committee has appointed the incoming President of WAS, who will lead the organization through the next four-year term.
New President of WAS: Dr. Faysal El Kak (Lebanon)
Dr. Faysal El Kak is a Clinical Associate of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Sexual Health, and the Director of the Women Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. He is a senior lecturer in Public Health and Sexuality, and an active leader in global health networks including the WHO STAGE group, the Guttmacher Institute, and the Arab Women Health Group. With over 65 publications in sexual and reproductive health, Dr. El Kak brings decades of clinical, academic, and policy expertise to his new role.
“I am incredibly proud that for the first time in its history, WAS now has a fully representative Advisory Committee - diverse in both region and gender - elected entirely through our democratic system. No adjustments were needed to comply with statutory requirements for representation. This result is a powerful reflection of who we are, what our members value, and our unwavering commitment to inclusion,” Dr. Elna Rudolph, Immediate Past President
We warmly welcome the new Executive Officers of WAS
President: Faysal El Kak (Lebanon)
Vice President: Esther Corona Vargas (Mexico)
Secretary-General: Erick Janssen (Belgium)
Immediate Past President: Elna Rudolph (South Africa)
We also extend our congratulations to the new Executive Committee
Associate Secretary: Armin Ariana (Australia)
Associate Secretary: Stefano Eleuteri (Italy)
Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee: Terry Humphreys (Canada)
Associate Secretary: Eszter Kismödi (Switzerland)
Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee: Kristen Mark (USA)
Associate Secretary: Ana Yáñez-Otero (Spain)
The specific roles of each Associate Secretary will be confirmed and announced in the coming weeks.
Honouring Our Outgoing Executive Officers
WAS extends heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Executive Officers who concluded their terms in 2025 after four years of dedicated service and leadership. Luis Perelman (Secretary General), Elna Rudolph (President), Alain Giami (Vice President), and Pedro Nobre (Immediate Past President) were each honoured with a special award at the Closing Ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Their vision, commitment, and tireless efforts have helped shape the future of WAS and strengthen the global movement for sexual health, rights, and justice.
Newly Elected Advisory Committee (2025–2029)
WAS is proud to welcome the newly elected members of the Advisory Committee for the 2025–2029 term. This dynamic group of leaders represents 16 countries across all six global regions, and brings a wealth of expertise in clinical practice, research, education, advocacy, and policy.
The newly elected members are:
Armin Ariana (Australia, Asia Oceania) – Associate Secretary
Esther Corona Vargas (Mexico, Latin America) – Vice President
Bradley R. Daniels (South Africa, Africa)
Stefano Eleuteri (Italy, Europe) – Associate Secretary
Faysal El Kak (Lebanon, Eastern Mediterranean) – President
Terry Humphreys (Canada, North America) – Scientific Committee Co-Chair
Erick Janssen (Belgium, Europe) – Secretary General / Treasurer
Jeyarani Kamaraj (India, Asia Oceania)
Sharful Islam Khan (Bangladesh, Asia Oceania)
Ons Kaabia (Tunisia, Eastern Mediterranean)
Eszter Kismödi (Switzerland, Europe) – Associate Secretary
Leiszle Lapping-Carr (USA, North America)
Kristen Mark (USA/Canada, North America) – Scientific Committee Co-Chair
Osmar Matsui-Santana (Mexico, Latin America)
Rosediani Muhamad (Malaysia, Asia Oceania)
Jean Paul Ngueya (Cameroon/France)
Nic Rider (USA, North America)
Tammary C. Rotich (Kenya, Africa)
Elna Rudolph (South Africa) – Immediate Past President
Ana Yáñez-Otero (Spain, Europe) – Associate Secretary
This newly appointed team will guide WAS through the next four years of global collaboration, innovation, and advocacy for sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure.
WAS congratulates the incoming President and the full Advisory Committee.
Outgoing Advisory Committee (2021–2025)
WAS also extends warm thanks to the members of the 2021–2025 Advisory Committee for their dedicated service and leadership. Over the past four years, this group has played a vital role in guiding WAS through a period of tremendous growth, transformation, and global advocacy. Their expertise, passion, and commitment have been instrumental in advancing sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure worldwide.
As we welcome the newly elected Advisory Committee, we extend our deepest gratitude to the following individuals who conclude their terms with distinction:
Elsa Almås (Norway)
Alain Giami (France)
K S Jeyarani (India)
Osmo Kontula (Finland)
Pedro Nobre (Portugal)
Luis Perelman-Javnozon (Mexico)
Esben Esther Pirelli-Benestad (Norway)
Tomoko Saotome (Japan)
Mehmet Sungur (Türkiye)
As we begin this new chapter, we carry forward the momentum built by those who came before us. With a fully representative leadership team and an engaged global community, WAS is poised to deepen its impact and expand its reach.
For further details and to view the full list of newly elected members, visit:
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About WAS
Founded in 1978, the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is a global confederation of professional organizations, academics, health providers, educators, and activists dedicated to promoting sexual health, rights, and justice. With over 80 organizational members and 6 regional federations, WAS leads initiatives that bridge science, advocacy, and community action to advance sexual wellbeing for all.
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Media Queries
Dr. René de Klerk, WAS Executive Director
Email: exec@worldsexualhealth.net
Lisa Welsh, WAS Communications Lead.
Email: media@worldsexualhealth.net