International Water Association

14/08/2026

Join the upcoming webinar Guardians of Water: Indigenous Women as Knowledge Holders and Stewards, organised by the IWA Women in Water Network.

Featuring Indigenous women leaders, practitioners and community advocates, this session will explore how Indigenous knowledge supports water security, climate resilience, biodiversity protection and equitable water governance.

📅 19 August 2026
🕗 08:00 BST

Learn more: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/guardians-of-water-indigenous-women-as-knowledge-holders-and-stewards

13/08/2026

Join the upcoming webinar Mainstreaming Water Sensitive Design and Planning: Tools and Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Futures, organised by the IWA Alliance for Water Sensitive Design and Planning.

This session will explore how Nature-based Solutions and Water Sensitive Urban Design can help cities respond to climate change, urbanisation and water stress. Featuring practical tools and approaches for planning, designing and monitoring blue-green infrastructure, the webinar will highlight how data-driven decision-making can support more resilient, sustainable and liveable urban environments.

📅 27 August 2026
🕦 10:30 BST

Learn more and register: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/mainstreaming-water-sensitive-design-and-planning-tools-and-nature-based-solutions-for-resilient-futures

12/08/2026

What does it take to move from water commitments to real action?

In this new blog, Gazi Nouman from the Sudan YWP Chapter reflects on the Fourth High-Level International Conference on the Water Action Decade in Dushanbe, highlighting the need for stronger financing, science-based decision-making, resilience and meaningful youth participation in shaping the future of water.

Read more:

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12/08/2026

To mark the 2026 United Nations International Youth Day, the International Water Association is pleased to amplify the diverse voices of our Young Water Professionals community.

Reflecting this year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” we are showcasing some of the latest perspectives and contributions that highlight how young water professionals can help advance a sustainable water future.

This year’s International Youth Day places particular focus on the experiences and aspirations of young people in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These contexts are well represented within IWA’s global Young Water Professionals community and our network of country chapters.

Through our global network, IWA provides a platform for these perspectives to be heard, shared and brought into the conversations shaping the future of water. While the challenges and realities facing young water professionals differ across countries and regions, there is a shared ambition to contribute knowledge, ideas and leadership, participate meaningfully in decision-making, and help shape solutions for a more sustainable and water-wise future.

This International Youth Day, we celebrate these voices and reaffirm our commitment to continuing to platform the breadth of perspectives within our Young Water Professionals community.

Take some time to read our latest blogs from the YWP community:
• https://www.iwa-network.org/blogs/from-commitments-to-action-what-dushanbe-2026-means-for-water-s-future
• https://www.iwa-network.org/blogs/from-uncertainty-to-recognition-my-journey-at-the-iwa-micropol-and-ecohazard-conference-2026
• https://www.iwa-network.org/blogs/young-water-professionals-in-action-the-specialist-group-on-rainwater-harvesting-and-management

Different contexts. Common aspirations. A shared commitment to a sustainable water future.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)

12/08/2026

🚰 Have you seen the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 Programme?

The Preliminary Programme is live, offering a taste of what will be an inspiring week dedicated to Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity.

Explore technical sessions, workshops, expert forums, special sessions and much more.

At the heart of the week is the technical programme curated by the global expert Programme Committee and bringing together the latest knowledge, innovation, and collaboration from across the water sector.

🔗 Take a look at the programme and start planning your experience: https://worldwatercongress.org/programme/

Don’t forget to secure your spots:https://worldwatercongress.org/registration/

11/08/2026

Join Water Reuse: From Policy to Practice, a two-day workshop organised by IWA South Asia and supported by WABAG exploring how water reuse can support water security, climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

Through expert presentations, case studies, a site visit and group activities, participants will gain insights into policy frameworks, treatment technologies, governance models, financing mechanisms and practical approaches for scaling safe and effective water reuse.

📅 28-29 August 2026
IWA members receive an exclusive 10% discount.

Learn more and register: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/water-reuse-from-policy-to-practice

11/08/2026

🚽 Safe sanitation remains out of reach for billions—but proven solutions already exist, and the possibilities are growing.

From decentralised systems and resource recovery to innovative financing and service-delivery models, the challenge now is to move from promising approaches to lasting impact at scale.

The IWA Global Sanitation Summit 2027 will bring together leaders from government, utilities, finance, development organisations, academia and industry to exchange experience, showcase practical solutions and build partnerships that accelerate implementation.

📍 Cape Town, South Africa
📅 25–27 January 2027
💧 Theme: The Future of Sanitation: Decentralised, Water-Efficient, Scalable

Sponsorship opportunities - the IWA Global Sanitation Summit 2027 represents an outstanding opportunity to access an audience of highly influential participants who are shaping practical action. See details on the sponsorship brochure:https://iwa-website-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/IWA_Sanitation_Summit_2027_Sponsorship_Opportunities_Brochure_f79084b5be.pdf

🔗 Learn more about the Summit and sign up for updates: https://www.iwa-network.org/events/iwa-global-sanitation-summit-2027

10/08/2026

Explore the Forums and Summit taking place at the IWA & Exhibition 2026 in Glasgow.

From utility leadership, regulation and groundwater to bioresources, rainwater management, One Health, Indigenous water stewardship, industrial water, and climate and nature resilience, these agenda-setting forums will bring together global experts, practitioners and decision-makers for focused discussion and practical exchange.

Each forum will create space to share knowledge, explore solutions and shape recommendations that support water action, resilience and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Learn more and start planning your Congress experience: https://worldwatercongress.org/forums-and-summit/

07/08/2026

Build your knowledge of wastewater treatment with Wastewater Treatment Principles course, delivered in collaboration with Cranfield University.

This two-day CIWEM-accredited course covers key unit operations and principles, including preliminary and primary treatment, biological processes, tertiary treatment, nature-based solutions, resource recovery, water recycling, sludge, odour control and net zero considerations.

IWA members receive an exclusive 15% discount, available during the application process.

📅 28 October 2026

Learn more and apply:

This course will provide you with the general knowledge of the conventional unit operations employed in wastewater treatment, including the scientific engineering principles on which they are based.

06/08/2026

What does it take to build a strong regional community of young water professionals?

This new blog reflects on the YWP pre-event held in Sofia ahead of the Danube Water Forum, where young professionals from across the region came together to share experiences, discuss chapter development, explore professional growth and identify opportunities for stronger collaboration.

Read more:

What does it take to build a regional community of young water professionals? This was the question posed by the dedicated Young Water Professional (YWP) pre-event held in Sofia on 19 May 2026, ahead of the Danube Water Forum. Twenty-five young professionals from 14 countries and 18 different organi...