World Aquatics is thrilled to launch a series of strategic partnerships with MOL Group, MOL - New Europe Foundation, MVM Group and OTP Group which will further strengthen World Aquatics’ presence in Hungary.
This includes the opening of a new headquarters in Budapest, formally approved by Member Federations at the 2023 World Aquatics General Congress in Fukuoka, Japan. An interim headquarters was opened in the Hungarian capital in November 2024.
International energy company MOL Group is headquartered in Budapest with an active presence in more than 30 countries. It is a long-time supporter of sport through a series of partnerships with athletes and teams, and will work closely with World Aquatics as the organisation progresses with its transition to Hungary.
MOL - New Europe Foundation, founded by the Hungarian Government and MOL Plc is dedicated to performing a range of public tasks. The partnership with World Aquatics fits to its engagement in various areas of talent development and sport in Hungary and beyond.
MVM Group is headquartered in Hungary with an active presence in 23 countries, providing energy to millions of businesses and homes across the Central-Eastern Europe region. It also holds significant expertise in the production of carbon-neutral energy, and has committed to achieving net carbon neutrality by 2050.
The partnership will contribute to World Aquatics’ energy efficiency planning for its new headquarters in Budapest.
OTP Group is one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading independent banking groups, and brings over 75 years of experience of market-leading financial infrastructure. OTP will support World Aquatics’ activity in the region by providing tailored banking services for World Aquatics in Hungary.
“As we expand our operations in Hungary, it is vital World Aquatics aligns with trusted and forward-thinking partners in the region,” said President of World Aquatics, Captain Husain Al-Musallam.
“MOL Group, MOL - New Europe Foundation, MVM Group and OTP Group have strong global reputations, and these agreements come at the perfect time as we advance with the development of our new headquarters in Budapest and open an exciting new chapter.
"These partnerships will enhance our operations and benefit the global aquatics family. We look forward to working closely with MOL Group, MOL - New Europe Foundation, MVM Group and OTP Group"
Member of the Board of Trustees of MOL New Europe Foundation and COO of MOL Hungary György Bacsa said: “With full commitment, we support every cause and organization that creates value for Hungary and provides opportunities for our talents. And we already owe a great deal to aquatic sports: there is no generation that hasn’t cheered for and rejoiced over a gold medal won at an international competition, and perhaps there is no other Olympic sport that has made so many Hungarians world-renowned. Aquatic sports are about noble competition, world-class talent and records, as well as the conscious and persistent training behind them, the excellent coaches, and the clubs. I am proud that MOL and the MOL-New Europe Foundation can contribute to this success story.”
MVM Group CEO Mátrai Károly said: “This collaboration is a strategic choice: we believe that supporting sporting talent, performance and the wider athletic community is just as much a part of responsible corporate operations as energy security. Joining World Aquatics fits well with MVM’s development trajectory – we work for development with domestic foundations, regional ambitions and an increasingly strong international presence, along with values that lead to success in the world of sports.”
OTP Group CEO Csányi Péter commented: “We are delighted and proud to welcome the decision of World Aquatics to relocate its global headquarters to Budapest. This move further strengthens the role of the Hungarian capital and our country in international sports. As a banking group with Hungarian roots and international presence, the OTP Group is, as of today, the World Aquatics Global Banking Supplier.”
The World Aquatics interim headquarters in Budapest currently houses a team of 25 staff. The wider transition to Budapest is planned around the 2027 World Aquatics Championships, which will also be hosted in the Hungarian capital.
Lausanne will remain home of the Aquatics Integrity Unit, which provides independent oversight of all integrity-related matters in aquatics, and the new World Aquatics Foundation, continuing the organisation’s proud history in the city.
About World Aquatics
Driven by the vision of a world united by water for health, life and sport, World Aquatics is the international governing body for aquatic sports. Founded in 1908, World Aquatics is an independent organisation formed of 210 National Federations and five Continental Organisations.
World Aquatics oversees six aquatic sports – swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving – and is recognised as the leading global authority of these sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For more information, please visit: www.worldaquatics.com
About MOL Group
MOL Group is an international energy company headquartered in Budapest, operating in over 30 countries with 25,000 employees, three refineries, two petrochemical plants, and nearly 2,400 service stations. The company currently produces in eight countries and holds exploration assets in nine.
MOL is committed to a smart energy transition — gradually transforming its fossil-based operations into a low-emission, sustainable business model with the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. MOL Group aims to make the region greener, more competitive, and more self-sufficient, while driving the circular economy in Central and Eastern Europe. For more information, please visit: https://molgroup.info/en
About MOL – New Europe Foundation
The MOL - New Europe Foundation was established by law in 2021 through a partnership between the Hungarian Government and MOL Plc. As a public-interest asset management foundation, it is dedicated to performing a range of public tasks. The Foundation provides funding and is actively involved in various public initiatives, including talent development, sustainability, social affairs, culture, heritage protection and sports in Hungary and beyond. For more information, please visit: https://molujeuropaalapitvany.hu/
About MVM Group
MVM Group is the 2nd largest company in Hungary, and the 6th in Central Europe. It is a dynamic, innovative company group continually gaining dominance also on regional level. Through its professional competences it offers significant contribution to the security of supply in Central-Eastern Europe. With its active presence in 23 countries, with more than 19 000 employees and with serving more than 11 million household and company clients (including almost 2 million in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania), MVM Group is a significant player of the CEE region’s energy ecosystem. MVM Group is ready to supply 3.4 million Romanian customers in case of taking over the majority stake of EON Energie Romania. Since 2024 MVM Group has a significant interest in Azerbaijan as well. MVM Group acquired a stake in one of the world's largest offshore natural gas fields called Shah Deniz. MVM is also an important energy knowledge centre with significant expertise in carbon-neutral energy production, retail energy solutions and energy trading. For more information, please visit: www.mvm.hu.
About OTP Group
OTP Group is one of the fastest growing, leading independent banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe with a bridgehead in Central Asia. It operates in 11 countries—10 in the CEE region and 1 in Uzbekistan—employing nearly 40,000 people and providing universal financial services to 17 million customers.
Founded in 1949, OTP Group has evolved into a universal financial services provider, offering a comprehensive range of services including retail and corporate banking, leasing, asset management, investment funds, pension funds, and insurance. The Group's commitment to innovation and digital transformation ensures high-quality financial services across its extensive network of over 1,500 branches and digital channels.
OTP Group is listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange and maintains an outstanding capital and liquidity position, reflecting its prudent financial management and strategic growth initiatives. The Group's dedication to corporate social responsibility is evident through its support for various cultural, educational, and sports initiatives.
As a Global Supplier of World Aquatics, OTP Group reinforces its commitment to promoting aquatic sports and fostering international cooperation. This partnership aligns with the Group's values of excellence, community engagement, and sustainable development.
For more information, please visit: www.otpgroup.info.