Resilience and Sustainability, from science to practice and policy

The 2018 edition took place in Tokyo and had as a key focus the digital economy, megacities, diffusion of innovation, disaster resilience and sustainability. As a gateway to Asia and the world, Tokyo provided attractive business opportunities to all the participants. Japan has proactively and continually shared experiences and know-how with other countries. Keeping this tradition the country shared water best practices and technologies. Japan is quality, Japan has experience – Stability & Resilience.

A world in which water is managed wisely is one where all individuals have access to safe water and adequate sanitation, where water and wastewater make a positive contribution to resource efficiency, and where the quality of water in rivers, lakes, aquifers and other water bodies safeguards environmental and public health.

To create a water-wise world we need to reduce, renew, and replenish our supplies. This was the vision behind the World Water Congress & Exhibition 2016.

Cities of the Future

Walter King was the congress President of the 2008 Vienna Congress & Exhibition. Featuring workshops covering the global challenges of climate change, explosive population growth and urbanization as well as the rapidly emerging breakthroughs in engineering science and biotechnology. This was when the IWA Cities of the Future Programme was launched accompanied by associated workshops as well as the results of IWA programmes undertaken with key strategic partners.  

Sustainable Water Management Practices

Qiu Baoxing was the President of the 2006 IWA Beijing World Water Congress & Exhibition. The event bridged the cooperation and communication of the issues facing the water sector. The Congress made significant contributions to global sustainable development, with water professionals and experts from all over the world who came together to exchange new ideas, knowledge and experiences and discussed how to promote the sustainable utilisation of water resources through the innovative use of technology and management. One of the aims was to connect the world to the Chinese water industry helping delegates to understand the Chinese market and culture, share experiences, and facilitate future communication and cooperation.

In 2004, The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition received unprecedented interest from authors wishing to share their knowledge and experiences on an international platform. Covering all aspects of water and wastewater services within the context of sustainable catchment and basin management, from research through practice, a total of 1900 papers outlines were submitted via the new web-based paper submission platform. After the review process circa 900 were select and following the Congress a further selection was published in IWA Publishing Journals.

A Unique Approach to a Unique Environment

Presided by David Garman,  the 3rd edition of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition was held in conjunction with the Enviro 2002 Convention & Exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. The joint event brought together a unique assemblage of state-of-the-art science, technology and research. Keynote speakers focused on different aspects of Odour, Waste and Business of the Environment.

Efficient Water Management – Making it Happen

The German Water Industry welcomed over 2,500 participants and 5000 trade visitors to the 2001 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. This was the first year exhibitors had their own platform at the Congress in what was called the International Industry Forum. A total of 200 specialist exhibitors from 22 countries attended.

300 presentations were given, reviewing the current situation in the worlds of drinking water and sewage. The focus of the Congress was Communication. The Organising Committee gave particular attention to workshops and discussion forums, and to the close integration of the Congress and Trade Fair. Peter Scherer was the Congress President.

The First IWA World Water Congress

The two major International Water and Sanitation Associations, i.e. International Association on Water Quality (IAWQ) and the International Water Services Association (IWSA) merged in September 1999 to form the International Water Association (IWA). Thus, the “Paris 2000” Congress was the first International Congress of the IWA. An estimated 2000 participants were expected from all over the world.