Congress Director Kizito Masinde looks forward to the coming World Water Congress & Exhibition
We are delighted to be bringing the World Water Congress & Exhibition to the UK this year. It is an exciting milestone for the global water community. As the leading event covering the entire water cycle, the 2026 edition in Glasgow is set to be our largest gathering yet.
This ambition is powered by IWA’s global reach and an exceptional partnership with our local hosts which has benefited from wide involvement and support from across the UK. Together, we look forward to welcoming some 10,000 participants from around the world this October.
Renowned for its high-quality content, the Congress offers a vibrant platform for sharing cutting-edge insights across policy, science, innovation, and practice. The programme will feature a high-level summit to advance action and the agenda on water and sanitation. Alongside this, more than seven forums will explore topics ranging from utility leadership to One Health, complemented by technical sessions and workshops spanning six core Congress themes. The event will also celebrate excellence across the sector, recognising individuals, organisations, and projects that are advancing progress in water and sanitation through IWA’s Awards.
Above all, the Congress is where the global water community comes together. It is a unique space to connect with utilities, researchers, policymakers, and innovators, fostering collaboration, exchanging knowledge, and accelerating action towards a more sustainable and resilient water future.
A rich programme
This year’s Congress theme is “Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity”. This reflects a simple but powerful truth: water underpins the health, stability, and prosperity of our communities, economies, and the environment. From climate resilience to inclusive growth, water is central.
The technical programme is structured around six core themes that span the full breadth of the water sector: Water Utility Management; Wastewater and Resource Recovery; Drinking Water and Potable Reuse; City-scale Planning & Operations; Communities, Communication & Partnership; and Water Resources & Sustainable Development. Together, these themes create a comprehensive framework for exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of water.
The strong global interest in the Congress has long been clear. The call for submissions attracted over 1,400 abstracts and more than 200 workshop proposals, an impressive 11% increase compared to the previous Congress in Toronto. Following a rigorous review process by an international panel of experts, the Programme Committee carefully curated the final selection into the various categories as oral presentations, poster pitches, posters and workshops. With such a high level of competition, only one in four abstracts has been selected for oral presentation, ensuring a programme of exceptional quality and relevance.
Beyond the technical sessions, the Congress will convene a high-level summit focused on the agenda to accelerate progress on the water and sanitation needs around SDG 6. Plus, a rich line-up of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and leadership forums will further dive into critical topics, from utility leadership and regulation to emerging leaders, groundwater management, nature recovery, and One Health.
The experience extends well beyond the conference rooms. Delegates will have the opportunity to go on technical tours that showcase the UK’s leadership in the water sector, offering a closer look at local innovation and expertise. Social and cultural moments are woven throughout the week, including a special cultural evening event in Glasgow that blends networking with the city’s vibrant cultural scene. The Congress will culminate in a Gala Dinner, an opportunity for the global water community to come together, reflect on the week’s insights, and celebrate shared achievements over local cuisine and warm hospitality.
Running alongside the programme is a dynamic exhibition featuring more than 350 global brands across an expansive 10,000 square metres. This lively hub will spotlight cutting-edge technologies, solutions, and services, featuring numerous country pavilions as well pavilions highlighting innovation and digital solutions, creating valuable opportunities for exhibitors and sponsors to connect with leading water professionals. A standout feature on the exhibition floor is the IWA Operations Challenge, where utility teams put their skills to the test in a live Control Room simulation. Faced with a realistic environmental emergency affecting both clean and wastewater networks, participants will be challenged to protect customer supplies while minimising environmental impact, demonstrating expertise under pressure.
As in previous editions, trade visitor registration remains free, offering access to the exhibition and Business Forum sessions hosted on the show floor—ensuring that even more participants can engage with the innovation, ideas, and connections that define the Congress. •
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 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.
