International Water Association
IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition
ConferenceAwardedGovernmentIn-personBiennial
Glasgow, GB4 Oct 2026 – 8 Oct 20265 days
Countries
100+
Duration
5 days · 4 Oct 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
Frequency
Biennial
About this congress
The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is the leading global event for water and allied professionals, covering the full water cycle. Held every two years by the International Water Association, it brings together thought-leaders, decision makers, top researchers, and business innovators from across and beyond the water sector to shape the future of water. The 2026 Congress will focus on the theme, 'Water Action: The Path to Resilience and Prosperity'.
Data completeness: 89%Bronze
Key details
- City & country
- Glasgow, GB
- Dates
- 4 Oct 2026 – 8 Oct 2026
- Duration
- 5 days
- Frequency
- Biennial
- Format
- In-person
- Rotation pattern
- Global rotation
- Commercial type
- Trade ShowConferenceB2B
- Official website
- worldwatercongress.org — register free for link access
Who attends
Water and allied professionalscovering the full water cycleincluding utility leadersacademicsgovernment and NGO representativestech providersconsultantsmediaand professionals from sectors such as agricultureurban planningfinanceand more
Programme
Tracks
Water utility managementWastewater and resource recoveryDrinking water and potable reuseCity-scale planning & operationsCommunities, communication & partnershipWater resources & large-scale water management
60 workshops
Networking events
- Technical Tours
- Social Programme
- Gala Dinner
- Utility Leaders Forum
- International Water Regulators Forum
- Emerging Water Leaders Forum
- Groundwater Forum
- Nature & Resilience Forum
- Valuing Resources Forum
- One Health Forum
- Glasgow Summit (invitation-only)
- Women in Water sessions
- IWA Operations Challenge
Host city history — 17 congresses since 2000
2030Sao PauloBR← current
2028KuchingMY
2026GlasgowGB
2024TorontoCA
2022CopenhagenDK
2021Virtual
2018TokyoJP
2016BrisbaneAU
2014LisbonPT
2012BusanKR
2010MontrealCA
2008ViennaAT
2006BeijingCN
2004MarrakechMA
2002MelbourneAU
2001BerlinDE
2000ParisFR
Latin AmericaAsiaEuropeNorth AmericaOtherOceaniaAfrica
CA ×2AU ×2BR ×1MY ×1GB ×1DK ×1Unknown ×1JP ×1PT ×1KR ×1AT ×1CN ×1MA ×1DE ×1FR ×1
Based on the rotation history, the next congress is likely to move to Other. Glasgow has hosted 1× (2026).