The leading water and development event

Water is one of the most critical issues facing the world today, with developing and emerging economies facing some of the biggest water challenges and representing some of the biggest opportunities to get our water future right.

For organisations looking to stand out as a leading brand, the Water and Development Congress & Exhibition offers a unique opportunity to profile your organisation and showcase your technical and service solutions amongst water professionals from over 90 countries.

The 2023 IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition expects to bring together over 3,500 people, a global audience of practitioners, utility managers, academia, government officials, consultants and media.

Focus areas

The IWA WDCE 2023 expects to bring together over 3500 people – a global audience of practitioners, utility managers, government officials, NGO representatives, technology providers, consultants and media.

Under the theme of ‘Water, sanitation, and climate resilience – keys to a water-wise future’, key topics for the IWA WDCE 2023 include:
• Circular economy
• Climate smart approaches to water and sanitation
• Digital transformation
• Intermittent water supply and the quest for 24/7
• Inclusive urban sanitation
• Inclusiveness and equality
• Innovation in technology and policy
• Nature-based solutions in supply, sanitation, and stormwater
• Partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Water and sanitation safety plans

These topics will be brought together under the following thematic tracks:
• Drinking water treatment and supply
• Wastewater treatment and sanitation services
• Integrated water management and planning
• Utility management and operation
• Governance and finance

The IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition offers a unique opportunity to profile your organisation and showcase your technical and service solutions with over 3,500 water professionals from around the world.

Target audience

The key target audience for the exhibition are the congress delegates, water professionals from across the full water cycle from more than 90 countries worldwide. In addition to the congress delegates, the exhibition will attract local, regional and international trade visitors. IWA expects over 3,500 participants from the global water sector.

The networking hotspot during the Congress

The International Exhibition floor will be the networking hotspot during the event. All lunches, coffee and tea breaks will be served in the Exhibition hall providing key opportunities to showcase your brand and to network with delegates. Exhibitors benefit from a discount on the congress registration fee and by being part of the congress sessions and side events you will have the opportunity to use the wider networking opportunities the Congress and Exhibition offers.

IWA will promote this event to its worldwide network of members and associates. This will consist of pre and post-event promotion to more than 55,000 water professionals worldwide. The organisers will promote the event through multiple communications channels, including digital channels and international, regional and local media partners. Your organisation or company will be published in the programme book for delegates. All Exhibitors will also be listed in the Exhibition guide for trade visitors and here on the Congress website.

Reserve a time slot to host a business forum

The Business Forums are a component of the Congress Programme and provide a series of sessions where delegates can interact with national delegations, commercial and non-commercial organizations to discuss and learn about the innovations and new developments (projects, services, research, challenges, and strategic direction) of single companies and countries. Sponsors and Exhibitors of the Water and Development Congress & Exhibition can send an email to apply for session timeslots in the Business Forum programme.