Regulatory authorities play a catalytic role in advancing safe, equitable, and sustainable water and sanitation services. IWA is proud to host the International Water Regulators Forum (IWRF) — a unique platform that brings together regulatory authorities and officials responsible for oversight in water, sanitation, and wastewater management. The IWRF supports regulators in strengthening their contribution to global sustainable development, offering space for peer-to-peer exchange, shared learning, and collective action. Since its inception, the Forum has convened in Lisbon (2014)—where it inspired the development of the Lisbon Charter—followed by London (2015), Brisbane (2016), Buenos Aires (2017), Tokyo (2018), online (2021), Copenhagen (2022), Kigali (2023) and Toronto (2024). It has engaged regulatory institutions from over 90 jurisdictions across all continents, forming the only global network of water and sanitation regulators of its kind.

The 2026 edition of the International Water Regulators Forum (IWRF) marks the 11th anniversary of this high-level gathering of water, sanitation, and wastewater regulators from around the world. Held in Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom), during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, this year’s Forum offers a unique opportunity to explore regulatory innovation, regional cooperation, and inclusive governance under the Congress theme: 'Water action - the path to resilience and prosperity'.









