The International Water Association (IWA) is advancing preparations for the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, set to take place at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC) from 4–8 October 2026. The event will welcome the global water community to Scotland, providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.
As part of the build-up, IWA’s leadership and host country representatives recently met with Glasgow City Council officials at the historic City Chambers. The discussions reinforced the shared commitment to hosting a world-class congress and highlighted Glasgow’s experience as a host of major international events.
Strengthening partnerships ahead of 2026
Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “It was a pleasure to meet the International Water Association Board in Glasgow. We are just over one year away from welcoming thousands of participants to the World Water Congress & Exhibition to our wonderful City. The value of water, how we build resilience and how we manage this precious resource within a changing climate, is crucial to everyone’s existence and prosperity. We look forward to hosting this important global Congress in Glasgow.”
IWA President, Hamanth Kasan, added: “IWA has a long history of staging these important events around the world. Following our hugely successful edition in Toronto, Canada, in 2024, we have no doubt that the Congress in Glasgow will be an outstanding success and we look forward to this great opportunity to share insights and build cooperation.”
Kizito Masinde, IWA Global Events Director, emphasised: “Meeting with Glasgow’s city officials was a vital step as we build momentum towards the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. Our goal is to deliver a world-class event that connects the global water community and leaves a positive legacy for the UK water sector. Working hand in hand with Glasgow City Council, we are committed to creating an engaging Congress experience that encourages collaboration and innovation for a sustainable water future.”
Peter Simpson, 2026 Congress President, said: “I am especially proud to see Glasgow preparing to host the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. This Congress will shine a spotlight on our capabilities, not least around innovation and resilience, while also creating a vital space for the global water community to exchange knowledge and solutions. Bringing these perspectives together makes the event deeply meaningful — for the UK, and for the global water community.”
Academic and research focus
The IWA delegation also met with leading academics in Glasgow, underlining the role of research and innovation in addressing global water challenges. This collaboration highlights the knowledge and expertise available within the host city and the importance of connecting research with practice on the international stage.
The visit marked a key milestone in advancing preparations and strengthening ties between IWA and Glasgow, ensuring the 2026 event delivers lasting value for both the UK and the wider global water sector.
