The International Water Resources Association (IWRA) is delighted to announce that the XX World Water Congress will take place from 4–8 October 2027 in Istanbul, Türkiye, under the theme: “Future of Water: Smart, Resilient, Circular, Inclusive”.  Through the lens of this theme, the event will explore how innovation, resilient water systems, circular approaches to resource management, and inclusive governance can help address the growing challenges of water security in a changing world.

Co-hosted by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), and the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN), the XX World Water Congress will bring together the global water community to explore innovative approaches to water management and identify pathways towards a more sustainable and water-secure future.

Since its inception in 1973, the World Water Congress has become a cornerstone event for the water sector, connecting science, policy, and practice to advance sustainable water management worldwide. Over the past five decades, the Congress has played an important role in shaping international water discourse and fostering collaboration on the issues that continue to define the sector today.

Hosting the XX World Water Congress in Istanbul reflects the international nature of the event. Bridging Europe and Asia, the city has long been a meeting point for cultures and ideas, providing a fitting setting for global dialogue and collaboration.