Call for hosting the 2027 IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition

The International Water Association is inviting Expressions of Interest from organisations and institutions interested in hosting the next edition of its Water and Development Congress & Exhibition, to take place in 2027.  

The IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition provides a unique platform that brings together water sector professionals, policymakers, researchers, utilities and other stakeholders to share knowledge, solutions and innovations addressing water and sanitation challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The most recent edition was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 8-12 December 2025, and the 2027 edition will build on the resounding success of that event.

This biennial conference features a mix of workshops, seminars, plenary sessions, side events, award ceremonies, poster sessions, and a dedicated exhibition to help drive water cooperation and water solutions that can be applied globally. Recent editions have attracted thousands of delegates from many countries and featured high-level discussions on topics such as safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, sanitation, climate resilience, governance, finance, and utility performance.

Hosting the 9th edition of IWA WDCE offers a unique opportunity to:

• Position your country and organisation at the forefront of global water and development dialogue
• Strengthen collaboration across regional and international water communities
• Showcase national and regional expertise, innovation, and leadership
• Contribute to shaping the global water agenda

IWA welcomes Expressions of Interest from its Governing Members, individual members, Strategic Partners, and institutions, with the capacity and commitment to deliver a high-quality international event aligned with IWA’s mission and values.

Interested members are invited to submit an initial Expression of Interest outlining:

• The proposed host city and venue
• Organising partners and governance structure
• Rationale for hosting and anticipated regional impact

For more information on the submission process and proposal requirements, please see the guidelines here. A template for the initial Expression of Interest can be downloaded here - Expression of Interest Letter Template.

The deadline for submitting 'Expressions of Interest' is 06 April 2026.

Details of past events are available at https://waterdevelopmentcongress.org/about/

For more information or to submit your Expression of Interest, please contact Kizito Masinde, IWA Global Events Director: Kizito.Masinde@iwahq.org