Forums and Summit

The Glasgow Summit on Water for People: From Commitment to Delivery is designed as a strategic moment in the global process leading to the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi. The Summit aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice by bringing the global practitioner community into the discussion, translating and stress-testing the emerging agenda against real-world implementation challenges. Attendance at the High Level Summit will be by invitation. The Summit will include an exploration of how financing can support long-term, equitable, and sustainable service delivery.

Date: Thursday, 8 October 2026

Circular economy thinking can turn today’s waste into tomorrow’s high value resources. This forum will consist of one session around how solids from wastewater can become useful resources by designing circularity. Recommendations to deliver success at scale will be discussed, documented and fed back as part of the drive for action to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The IWA Emerging Water Leaders Forum is an event which sets an open platform for young water professionals to connect with their peers from around the world. The Forum is a place to share professional experiences and highlight the critical responsibility of Young Water Professionals (YWPs) working on solutions for the future of water. The focus of the 2026 edition of the EWL Forum is on Blueprint for Water Action: People, Skills and Leadership in Practice.

Open to all YWPs attending the congress.

Date: Monday, 5 October 2026

The Groundwater Forum aims to promote groundwater as a critical resource to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Organised by an international partnership — Danish Water Forum, IWA Groundwater Management Specialist Group, GEUS, BGS, Grundfos, UNESCO Groundwater Youth Network, and DANVA — the forum connects science, policy, and practice.

The International Water Regulators Forum (IWRF) is the international meeting of the global network of regulators of IWA. It gathers high-level representatives of regulatory authorities and officials of agencies with regulatory and supervisory functions over the provision of water, sanitation, and wastewater treatment services.

The 11th IWRF will be held during the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in October 2026 in Glasgow, UK, where a highly prioritised agenda addressing current regulatory priority challenges and topics of interest to regulators will be covered. This Forum is being shaped and steered by a diverse and motivated Programme Committee, a committed group of professionals consisting of high-profile members of the IWA Regulators Community.

Participation is by invitation only. If you are part of the regulatory regime in water and sanitation – anywhere in the world – please connect with Dr Isabela Espíndola to explore how you can be part of this transformative Forum.

Date: Monday, 5 October 2026

Investing in nature is more crucial than ever with the ever-increasing pressures from climate change and knowledge of the water sectors dependency on nature. This forum will consist of three sessions around nature resilience, systems planning and incentivising action for all. Recommendations to deliver success at scale will be discussed, documented and fed back as part of the drive for action to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Industrial Water Forum brings together technology providers, regulators, and industries to tackle one of water’s biggest challenges: industry accounts for over 22% of global water withdrawals, yet less than 15% is reused. Focused on collaboration, the 2026 forum explores how cross-sector partnerships can break down barriers, drive financing for new technologies, and accelerate more efficient, resilient water use.

Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026

The inaugural Indigenous Water Forum is an Indigenous-led platform within IWA, introducing Two-Eyed Seeing — a decolonial framework bridging Indigenous and Western knowledge systems — to address water’s deepening ecological and social challenges. Grounded in traditional worldviews, the Forum brings together Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and allies to explore how Indigenous stewardship can reshape water governance, operations, and service delivery in practice. Beyond the 2026 Congress, it lays the foundation for future Forums in 2028 and 2030, building a lasting platform for global knowledge exchange toward more just and resilient water systems.

Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Water, society’s health and wellbeing are highly interconnected, and face emerging threats to water quality. This forum will consist of three sessions around how water interacts with health, land and food, and the environment. Recommendations to deliver success at scale will be discussed, documented and fed back as part of the drive for action to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Convened around the needs and interests of water and wastewater utility leaders charged with service delivery, the Utility Leaders Forum (ULF) is a unique opportunity for those tasked with managing utilities to exchange views, network and to access the insights of prominent water utility leaders in a setting that is by utility leaders for utility leaders.

The Forum will bring together some of the world’s most prominent water utility leaders with the most impactful case studies to share experiences and knowledge. Curated by an international committee of experienced utility practitioners, the forum is structured to facilitate an open and interactive dialogue around some of the most critical issues facing utilities. Active delegate participation will be key.

Participation in the Utility Leaders Forum is limited and by invitation. Utility leaders and relevant stakeholders who wish to request an invitation are invited to complete the form below. More information about the Forum is available here: 2026 Utility Leaders Forum – International Water Association

Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2026

Whilst it is common to us all, rainfall patterns are rapidly changing worldwide. With the existential threat and impact of climate change, this forum will hear from representatives from nations who have successfully implemented progressive policy approaches to valuing this precious resource better where it lands – simultaneously addressing water scarcity and water excess issues (such as flooding and overflows), and lowering carbon footprints. Recommendations to deliver success at scale will be discussed, documented and fed back as part of the drive for action to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026

The SG Leaders Forum offers a valuable in‑person opportunity for IWA SG Leaders to connect with one another and with the IWA Secretariat, discuss matters related to IWA strategies, share experiences on SG management and member engagement, and strengthen links with other IWA structures. The Forum enhances the effectiveness of all IWA SGs and Clusters and supports improved collaboration across groups to better serve the water sector. Following the successful delivery of several SG Leaders Forums, the next edition will take place ahead of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow, UK, on Saturday, 3 October 2026. Stay tuned for further updates.

Open exclusively to SG, Cluster, and Working Group Leaders (Chairs, Vice Chairs, Secretaries.