Programme features and highlights

The High-Level Summit on Water Security and Resilience, convened in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other strategic partners, aims to bring the political and decision-making sphere into this conversation, complementing technical and professional dialogue with strategic leadership perspectives. This combination makes the 2025 WDCE an unparalleled opportunity to align regional and global priorities on water security. 

This invitation-only event will gather a select group of high-level leaders from governments, international organisations, and key institutions across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring a trusted space for regional voices to come together and providing them with a rare opportunity to: 

• Share perspectives on key water security and resilience challenges; 

• Identify and prioritise regional and national actions; 

• Discuss enabling environments and policy frameworks; and 

• Shape future collaborative plans. 

The discussions will culminate in the release of The Bangkok Communiqué on Water Security and Resilience, a forward-looking statement reflecting shared priorities and actionable pathways toward a more secure and resilient water future. 

Programme theme: Driving Innovation, Shaping Inclusive and Sustainable Water Futures 

The Utility Leaders Forum is a unique opportunity for those tasked with managing utilities to exchange views, network, and access the insights of prominent water utility leaders in a setting that is by utility leaders for utility leaders. Curated by an international committee of experienced utility practitioners, the forum is structured to facilitate an open and interactive dialogue around some of the most critical issues facing utilities.  

Recognising the vital role utilities play in securing water services for all, the 2025 Utility Leaders Forum will explore how innovation can be effectively adopted, scaled, and shared across contexts to deliver real impact. Through a dynamic programme that combines global perspectives with practical experiences from the field, water utility leaders will engage in interactive discussions designed to foster collaboration and exchange. Structured around three core sessions — Driving Successful Adoption of Innovation through Global Cooperation, Innovation Stories from the Field, and Roundtables on Pathways to Scale — the Forum will provide a unique space for utility leaders to learn from one another, co-create solutions, and chart pathways towards more inclusive and sustainable water futures. 

For more information and to request an invitation please contact Daniela Bemfica, responsible for IWA’s utility community.

The IWA WESS Forum 2025 will serve as a global platform to consolidate learning, catalyse partnerships, and shape policy and financing pathways to accelerate WESS adoption and scale. The Forum also supports global momentum toward the SDG 6.2 sanitation target, the UN 2025 Water Action Decade Mid-Term Review, and outcomes from the World Water Forum 2025 in Bali.

The Forum will:

1. Convene global leaders to set a shared vision and agenda for scaling water efficient and climate-resilient sanitation.
2. Showcase technological and business innovations in water-efficient systems, highlighting cases from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
3. Define enabling policies and financing models that incentivise public-private partnerships, efficient supply chain and service delivery models.
4. Promote knowledge exchange and capacity building to bridge science, technology, and policy.
5. Produce the “Bangkok Action Framework on Water Efficient Sanitation Solutions”—a multi-stakeholder roadmap for integration of WESS into national systems and investment portfolios.

The Forum will provide a platform to share lessons from three years of engagement in advancing the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) approach, highlighting key findings from the recently completed CWIS Global Consultation, which gathered insights from over 50 organisations worldwide. It will also serve as an opportunity for sector stakeholders to reflect on progress toward the Sanitation SDG and explore priorities beyond 2030. 

Expected outcomes: 

• Enhanced collaboration:  Stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships to address challenges and scale solutions on urban sanitation for all.   

• Consolidated knowledge: Lessons and best practices synthesised and shared for use beyond the Forum. 

• Future-oriented vision: Clearer pathways to achieve SDG 6.2 and shape the post-2030 sanitation agenda.  

Why attend? 

By joining the IUS Forum, you will: 

• Gain first-hand insights from global leaders and innovators. 

• Contribute to shaping the future of inclusive urban sanitation. 

• Expand your professional network across policy, practice, and research communities.

• Be part of a global movement advancing sanitation for all. 

7th Edition

The focus of the 2025 editions of the EWL Forum is on equipping the next generation to lead in the face of climate, governance, and capacity challenges, ensuring water systems are resilient, equitable, and future-ready. This theme is leadership-forward and strongly aligned with the Congress’s resilience focus. It emphasises personal and institutional growth, and is ideal for showcasing future-ready skills, inclusive leadership, and big-picture strategic thinking. 

Topics:  

• Youth leadership in climate and water resilience 

•  Scenario planning, foresight, and governance 

•  Capacity-building and intergenerational collaboration 

•  Equity in access, participation, and design 

•  Long-term transformation of water institutions 

Themes:  

• Basins and Water Resources 

•  Urban Water Management 

•  Water and Health 

•  Water Governance 

•  Regulation and Utility Management 

This special forum is designed to bridge the gap between science, policy, and practice by facilitating dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. It will emphasise the importance of evidence-based strategies for pollution control, ecosystem restoration, and the protection of human health in coastal and marine environments.

Expected Outcomes

•  Increased awareness of the land-sea pollution nexus and its impact on health and ecosystems
• Identification of best practices and scalable solutions for pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration
• Policy recommendations for integrated pollution control strategies
• Strengthened partnerships and networks among stakeholders in the land-to-sea continuum

Connecting Experts, Advancing Solutions

A defining strength of the International Water Association (IWA) lies in its ability to bring together experts from across the globe and from diverse specialisations. To facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange, IWA members organise themselves into Specialist Groups (SGs), which are central to the Association’s mission and activities. These Groups lead initiatives such as conferences, seminars, and workshops, and contribute to the advancement of water sector knowledge through publications including books, reports, newsletters, and journal papers.

During the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition, a number of Specialist Groups will host open meetings to present their ongoing work, share emerging insights, and engage with fellow water and sanitation professionals. These sessions are open to all Congress delegates — an opportunity to connect with global specialists and leaders, explore new collaborations, and gain an informed perspective on the key issues shaping the sector.