With preparations now well underway for the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, the International Water Association’s global leadership and Congress host country representatives met with key figures from the City of Glasgow this week to deepen ties as the city prepares to welcome the global water community in October 2026.
Kizito Masinde, IWA Global Events Director, said:
“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.”
The programme for the visiting delegation included a meeting with the Lord Provost and leaders of Glasgow City Council at the Glasgow City Chambers.
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.”
The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is the flagship global event of the International Water Association. Held every two years, it covers the full water cycle and brings together thought-leaders, decision makers, top researchers, and business innovators from across and beyond the water sector to shape the future of water.
The 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland on 4-8 October 2026.
During their visit, the IWA teams advanced planning for the 2026 event, spanning from programme development to local engagement. The visit also included time with academics at a leading Glasgow university, highlighting the role of research and innovation in addressing global water challenges and showcasing the knowledge and expertise within the host city.
The IWA Congress Host Country delegation included:
- Peter Simpson, Congress President
- Alex Plant, Chief Executive, Scottish Water
- Marie Whaley, Congress Lead
- Lorraine Bruce, Programmes Manager
- Simon Parsons, Scottish Water
- Alan Thomson, Scottish Water
IWA President, Hamanth Kasan, commented:
“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.”
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