Amy Pruden and Zhiguo Yuan, Co-chairs of the global Programme Committee for the World Water Congress & Exhibition, share insights into the work of preparing the core technical programme that is bringing together the latest international insights from the water sector around the world.
The 2026 World Water Congress & Exhibition is set to bring together the global water community under the theme Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity for the latest dynamic, relevant, and forward-looking edition of the biennial flagship event of the International Water Association.
Taking place in Glasgow, UK, this coming October, the event will provide a platform for accessing the latest insights and building connections.
“At a time when water challenges are becoming more complex and more urgent, the Congress offers a vital opportunity to bring the world’s water community together to share ideas, strengthen collaborations, and advance solutions,” says Amy Pruden, Distinguished Professor, Virginia Tech, USA, and one of the Co-chairs of the global Programme Committee responsible for shaping the core technical programme of the Congress.
“This will be an excellent programme because it reflects both the breadth of the water sector and the urgency of the issues we face,” she continues. “It brings together technical excellence with real-world relevance, spanning the full water cycle while creating space for dialogue on resilience, sustainability, innovation, governance, and public health.”
Fellow Programme Committee Co-Chair Zhiguo Yuan, Chair Professor of Urban Water Management at City University of Hong Kong, China, adds: “It is a great pleasure to present this well-rounded technical programme for the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow. Co-developed by an expert international committee with diverse expertise, the programme delivers comprehensive coverage of all critical dimensions of modern urban water management.”
A global event with a comprehensive programme
The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is the leading global event for water and allied professionals, covering the full water cycle and convening thought leaders, utility executives, researchers, policymakers, innovators, and practitioners from across and beyond the sector. Following a highly successful edition in Toronto in 2024, the event is set to welcome around 10,000 participants from around the world to Glasgow this October.
The comprehensive Technical Programme is at the heart of the Congress, shaped and selected by the expert Programme Committee. This programme will feature more than 100 technical sessions and over 60 workshops across six core themes:
As well as this, the wider Congress programme will include keynote plenaries, leadership forums, panel discussions, technology showcases, business forums, technical tours, an integrated trade exhibition, and a vibrant social programme designed to foster connections and collaboration. The event as a whole is being staged by IWA along with the UK as host, with wide involvement and support from across the UK sector.
Key themes set to inspire
The programme reflects the latest advances, emerging priorities, and critical discussions shaping the future of water. Topics set to feature prominently include circular economy approaches and resource recovery, PFAS and emerging contaminants, net-zero and carbon-neutral water services, wastewater surveillance, digital technologies such as AI and IoT, nature-based solutions, decentralised treatment systems, water quality monitoring, and resilience planning across the water cycle.
While global in scope, every edition of the Congress also highlights local and regional expertise and leadership. Given the support of the UK water sector, Glasgow 2026 will provide a unique opportunity to showcase innovation and best practice from across the UK while creating new international partnerships and collaborations.
“Thoughtfully balanced across fundamental science, advanced engineering, policy governance, and socio-environmental perspectives, the programme integrates dedicated technical sessions, interactive workshops, and multi-stakeholder dialogues,” says Zhiguo Yuan. “This carefully curated agenda reflects cutting-edge advances and global priorities, offering an inspiring, inclusive, and high-quality platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative innovation.”
Amy Pruden continues: “Co-chairing the Programme Committee is a tremendous honour for me, especially as I still remember attending in Berlin in 2001 as a graduate student and never imagining that one day I would help lead this global gathering. Working with the Programme Committee has been energising and inspiring. It is a truly international group of leaders who have brought deep expertise, thoughtful judgement, and a shared commitment to building a programme that is rigorous, engaging, and impactful for a global audience.”
Pruden adds: “I am especially inspired by the way the programme weaves together circular economy, sustainability, resilience, and public health. I am particularly looking forward to discussions around antimicrobial resistance and the role of water systems in addressing it, alongside conversations on water reuse, emerging contaminants, digital innovation, and community-centred approaches to resilient water futures.” •
Congress Director Kizito Masinde looks forward to the coming World Water Congress & Exhibition
The Programme Committee of the 11th International Water Regulators Forum (IWRF) has begun shaping the 2026 Forum in Glasgow, focusing on key issues including adaptive regulation, climate resilience, innovation, and inclusive global representation in the water sector.
