The International Water Association has released details of the preliminary programme for the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, taking place in Glasgow from 4-8 October 2026.
The event will be held under the theme Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity, bringing together water professionals, utility leaders, scientists, engineers, policymakers, businesses and young water professionals from around the world.
The official World Water Congress website says the event is expected to attract around 10,000 participants and will cover the full water cycle.
Technical sessions and leadership forums
The preliminary programme includes around 100 technical sessions and 60 workshops, supported by keynote sessions, plenary debates, specialist forums, business forums, technical tours, networking events and an integrated international exhibition.
The Congress will focus on six core technical themes, with discussions spanning climate resilience, digital transformation, public health, resource recovery, water security and innovation across water and wastewater systems.
“Above all, the Congress is where the global water community comes together,” said Kizito Masinde, Global Events Director at the International Water Association.
“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.”
Programme focused on science and practical delivery
The 2026 programme has been developed to combine technical quality with practical relevance for water utilities, regulators, researchers, suppliers and infrastructure leaders.
Professor Amy Pruden and Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Co-Chairs of the Congress Programme Committee, said the event reflects both the breadth of the sector and the urgency of the challenges it faces.
“This will be an excellent programme because it reflects both the breadth of the water sector and the urgency of the issues we face,” they said.
“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.”
Water action and systems thinking
The event’s co-presidents, Peter Simpson and Alex Plant, said the Congress will provide a platform for discussion on systems thinking and the role of water in resilience, sustainable growth, public health and environmental protection.
“The scale of the challenges ahead mean that we need to impress upon decision-makers across the world that adopting systems-thinking, and putting that into practice, will be essential to protecting and enhancing access to clean water and effective sanitation for all nations,” they said.
The IWA describes the World Water Congress & Exhibition as its leading global event for water and allied professionals, held every two years. The 2026 edition will take place at the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow.
Registration is open via the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition website.
Read more water sector coverage in H2O Global News’ Water Management and Technology sections.
FAQs
When is the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition?
The event will take place from 4-8 October 2026.
Where will the Congress be held?
The 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition will be held in Glasgow, UK, at the Scottish Event Campus.
What is the theme of the 2026 Congress?
The theme is Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity.
Who should attend?
The event is aimed at water professionals, utility leaders, researchers, engineers, policymakers, businesses, technology providers and young water professionals.
