International Water Resources Association

Portuguese Water Congress
2018-05-07 - 2018-05-09 | Evora, Portugal
The Portuguese Water Resources Association (APRH) hosted the 14th Water Congress in Évora from March 7th to 9th, 2018. The theme focused on “Water Resources Management: New Challenges”. The Water Congress addressed Water Resources Management at various levels, at a critical time of change that requires new solutions and actions that minimize these problems in the future. In this framework, the APRH invited all its associates and wider technical-scientific community to this discussion forum, to help all stakeholders in Water Resources Management find convincing scientifically based solutions for water resolution problems. This invitation extended to the Portuguese-speaking countries that, coming with their own experiences, enriched the discussion.

International Training Workshop on Management of Land Acquisition, Resettlement, and Rehabilitation (MLARR)
2018-04-16 - 2018-04-28 | National Research Center for Resettlement, Nanjing, China
The management of Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (MLARR) has become an integral part of the process of infrastructural development. However, a major challenge in this regard is the weak institutional and human resources capacity to address land acquisition and involuntary resettlement globally.
This is reflected in the limited professional staff, knowledge, technical expertise and operational experiences in resettlement policies, planning, implementation and management. Many countries have developed legislative and policy framework to manage issues in land acquisition, resettlement, rehabilitation and social safeguard.
This Hohai University training program focused on the international standards and good practices, as well as on lessons learned from case studies in China and globally. It included a 5-day field trip to the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Dam Projects. The field visits included presentations by the project staff, discussions, and field trips to resettlement sites.
The training program is targeted to an international audience – people who are involved in project planning and implementation, project managers, practitioners and people involved in project administration from public and private institutions or international financial institutions. The course was delivered by some of the world’s leading social assessment and resettlement practitioners.

World Water Day
2018-03-22
World Water Day, on 22 March every year, was about focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 was ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.

Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.

8th World Water Forum - “Sharing Water”
2018-03-18 - 2018-03-23 | Brasilia, Brazil
The World Water Forum is the world’s biggest water-related event and is organized by the World Water Council (WWC), an international organization that brings together all those interested in the theme of water. Its mission is “to promote awareness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels, to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management and use of water in all its dimensions on an environmentally sustainable basis for the benefit of all life on Earth”.
The World Water Forum contributes to the dialogue of the decision-making process on water at the global level, seeking to achieve the rational and sustainable use of this resource. Given its political, technical and institutional scope, one of the Forum’s main features is the open, democratic participation of actors drawn from different sectors, making it an event of the greatest importance on the international agenda.
Continuing in from its role at the 7th World Water Forum as Champion for the Theme “Ensuring Water Quality from Ridge to Reef”, IWRA continued this role for the 8th World Water Forum. The IWRA Executive Office was part of the coordination group for the cross-cutting Theme of Capacity, as well as the topic coordination group for “Climate Science and Water management: the communication between science and decision/policy making” under the Theme of Climate. Last but not least, IWRA was the topic lead for “Ensuring Water Quality from Ridge to Reef”, which now sits under the Theme of Ecosystems. In this lead role Project Officer Alice Colson was providing support and general coordination to the three session groups, and liaising between the sessions and the Thematic Commission.
Given IWRA’s strong involvement in this major water event, the Executive Office had a stand in the Expo area for the whole Forum week.

ASIA 2018: Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia
2018-03-13 - 2018-03-15 | Danang, Viet Nam
Supported by IWRA, ASIA 2018 provided a platform for international experts from around 50 countries to focus on issues of direct relevance to Asia: helping advance projects which exploit the remaining renewable energy potential; explore investment opportunities and strategies; address major challenges such as climate resilience, and the management of floods and earthquakes; encourage best practice in project implementation; and, review advances in technology for both new and refurbishment schemes.
Recognizing that Asia is the region of the world with the largest current programme of water resources and hydro development, but also some of the greatest challenges to face, including natural hazards, challenging sites, and in some countries limited resources, Aqua~Media has been organizing regional conferences in Asia since 2006.
Key participants included government representatives (from ministries and utilities), planners, researchers, consultants, owners and operators of water infrastructure and hydro plants, contractors, suppliers, officers from the relevant professional associations, academics and students.

UN Water Meeting
2018-02-01 - 2018-02-02 | Rome, Italy
The 28th UN-Water Meeting took place from 1-2 February 2018, at IFAD headquarters in Rome, Italy. Agenda items included: 2030 Agenda update and related intergovernmental processes; Monitoring and reporting; Launch of the World Water Data Initiative – Good Practice Guidelines; Updates on World Toilet Day 2017 on Wastewater and World Water Day 2018 on Nature for Water; Selection of Coordinator(s) of World Toilet Day 2018 and World Water Day 2019; Support to the “International Decade for Action – Water for Sustainable Development” 2018 – 2028; and the Work Programme 2018-2019.

International Water Summit
2018-01-15 - 2018-01-18 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The International Water Summit (IWS) is the world’s leading global exhibition dedicated to developing solutions for water sustainability in arid regions. IWS brings together over 9,200 visitors from 111 countries attracting government leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs and decision makers. It constitutes an important opportunity to network and source products from 150+ exhibiting companies from 22 countries and to uncover the latest advances in water sustainability.

IWRA's Anniversary
2017-11-29
Established on 29 November 1971, IWRA was set up to meet the growing but unmet need to create a multidisciplinary association at the international level in order to fill the gaps both between disciplines and the science community with the general public and policy makers.
In the 46 years since then, while moving with the times, we have held steadfast to our core objective by holding 16 World Water Congresses; through publications, notably our flagship journal Water International; leading and collaborating with projects mainly on Water Quality, the Science-Policy Interface and Smart Water Management, as well as through networking at multiple scales, including the World Water Forum at one end and national and regional committees at the other. Today, IWRA’s mission and goals remain the same, making sure the Association promotes water research and shares knowledge towards the use of sound science to develop strong water policies, engages with members and key partners more closely, and reinforces its unique multidisciplinary network of experts concerned with the sustainable use of the water resources, globally.
IWRA looks forward to continuing this work, bringing the latest research and sharing up-to-date knowledge, engaging across projects, events and initiatives with all our members and partners, as well as collaborating up close with the international water community in years to come!

4th Arab Water Forum
2017-11-26 - 2017-11-28 | Cairo, Egypt
Organised by the Arab Water Council (AWC), the 4th Arab Water Forum on “Sharing Water … Sharing Destiny”, was held 26-28 November, 2017, in Cairo, Egypt. This Forum takes place every 3 years and is considered a meeting place for AWC’s members from 22 Arab states, together with their partners and associates from the region and from around the world. As usual, the Forum provided a platform to address the issues and challenges within the water sector in the region, which is the scarcest in water resources. The Forum witnessed interactive discussions on a number of important themes and topics that are of highest importance to all water stakeholders in the region.

World Toilet Day - Wastewater
2017-11-19
The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals aim to reach, among many other targets, everyone with sanitation by that year, and halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and increase recycling and safe reuse. However, and to be achieve that, we need everyone’s poo to be contained, transported, treated and disposed of in a safe and sustainable way. This 4-step journey briefly includes the following:
• Containment. Poo must be deposited into a hygienic toilet and stored in a sealed pit or tank, separated from human contact.
• Transport. Pipes or latrine emptying services must move the poo to the treatment stage.
• Treatment. Poo must be processed into treated wastewater and waste products that can be safely returned to the environment.
• Disposal or reuse. Safely treated poo can be used for energy generation or as fertilizer in food production.
IWRA to celebrate this important day organised a dedicated webinar on Thursday, November 16th 2017, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm (CET). Panellists, list of topics and other details, including registration can be found here: www.iwra.org/webinars

International Summit “Water and Climate: Meeting of the Great Rivers of the World”
2017-10-23 - 2017-10-25 | Rome, Italy
The Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea, in partnership with UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO,
Secretariat of the Global Alliances for Water and Climate) and Aquamadre held the International Summit “Water and Climate: Meeting of the Great Rivers of the World” from the 23rd to the 25th of October 2017 in Rome, Italy.
The managers and representatives of the most important river basins of the world, came from all continents and met, for the first time in Italy, in order to inspire a meaningful dialogue aiming at facing the future of water, threatened by more and more frequent and violent climate change and its dramatic consequences in terms of floods, drought and degradation of ecosystems.

2017 China Europe Water Platform Annual High-Level Dialogue Conference & Business Event
2017-09-21 - 2017-09-22 | Turku, Finland
This high level dialogue conference between ministers from Europe and China was held in Turku, Finland in order to discuss the future of the China Europe water platform (CEwp). It focused on creating stronger partnerships between China and Europe for promotion of water security and green development in these regions, with the expected declaration to drive future activities at the CEwp. An emphasis on business cooperation and financial organizations towards meeting the water-related sdgs was made with a special business event to enhance information exchange in the business sector.

International Water and Climate Workshop Ecological Engineering and Climate Risks
2017-09-20 - 2017-09-22 | Paris, France
Organized by the Seine-Normandy water agency and French Development Agency, this was a workshop for discussions and presentations of ecological engineering solutions and best practices from around the world. The event included roundtables, projects, working groups and field visits. Its goal was to exchange information and perspectives on nature-based solutions to water-related risks by professionals and decision-makers from the water, urban planning, development and biodiversity sectors. Outputs from the workshop were presented at COP23 and the 8th World Water Forum.

Korea International Water Week & 1st Asia International Water Week 2017
2017-09-20 - 2017-09-23 | Gyeongju, Korea, Republic of
These two major events for securing water resources in Asia occurred together in September, in Gyeongju, South Korea. As the second Korea International Water Week (KIWW), contained the theme of “Water Partnership for Sustainable Development”, through the sub-themes of global leadership for SDGs, implementation of solutions, economic/social value creation and knowledge sharing/ capacity building. “Asian Solutions for Water” was the slogan and theme for the first Asia International Water Week (AIWW), organized by the Asian Water Council in collaboration with K-water and the city of Gyeongju. It aimed to share water issues and expertise from around the continent and build action plans for the future, with the goal for the AIWW to be held every three years. During KIWW, the results of the World Water Challenge, an ongoing challenge for determining focal water issues and finding innovative solutions through submissions to address the selected problems, were presented. Both events involved the participation of NGOs, academia, public and private sectors, as well as government authorities including local governments and municipalities.

The International Baikal Ecological Forum
2017-09-14 - 2017-09-15 | Irkutsk, Russian Federation
The International Baikal Ecological Forum served as a communication platform between representatives from government, business and society, for solving aquatic ecological issues relating to Lake Baikal, a UNESCO site. Key themes discussed included approaches for preservation of the lake, state policies, linking to international experience for the protection of natural resources as well as innovative technologies in water management. This international two-day event was held in Irkutsk, Russia, organized by the Government of the Irkutsk Region, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Irkutsk Region with the participation of the Siberian Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Stockholm World Water Week
2017-08-27 - 2017-09-01 | Stockholm, Sweden
The World Water Week in Stockholm is the annual focal point for the globe’s water issues. It is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and located at the Stockholm City Conference Centre. This year, the theme was “Water and Waste – Reduce and Reuse”. With more than 200 sessions, topics covered it included implementing and monitoring SDGs, sanitation and health related to wastewater, financing, integrated urban water management, food and nutrition, water conflicts and fragile states. The week also featured many social events, kicking off with a Young Professionals Day on August 27, where attendance was free for those between the ages of 16-35.

ASTEE’s 96th Annual Conference
2017-06-06 - 2017-06-09 | Liège Theatre, Place du Vingt Août , Liège, 16, 4000, Belgium
ASTEE holds its annual conference bringing together water and environment professionals for information sharing and knowledge exchange on good practices and lessons learned in. Under its theme on “Regions and the EU, working together to foster environmental transition”, the French Scientific and Technical Association for Water and Environment holds its 96th Annual Conference. Dedicated this year to EU policies challenges heavily influencing regional management, investment and development projects, particularly those dealing with water, environment and waste management, the conference will be organized in order to prepare for the upcoming cycles in the fields of water and waste. Mainly, it will take stock of the progress accomplished through EU directives as well as the difficulties in implementing them, by comparing case studies and feedback from different regions and member states.
More information can be found at: www.astee.org

XVI World Water Congress
2017-05-29 - 2017-06-03 | Cancun International Convention Center, 9 1er Piso, Blvd. Kukulcan Mz. 50 Lt. 4, Zona Hotelera, Cancún, 77500 , Mexico
The next XVI World Water Congress will be held in Cancun, Mexico from 29 May to 3 June 2017 and hosted by the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA) and the National Association of Water and Sanitation Utilities (ANEAS).

4th Istanbul International Water Forum
2017-05-10 - 2017-05-11 | Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
The 4th Istanbul International Water Forum under its theme “Water and Peace”, will be devoted to the impacts of the latest regional political setting on water issues. The Forum will put a spotlight on the two-sided relationship between immigration and water services, bringing together participants from the region and the international water community. Held every 3 years, prior to each World Water Forum, this event will aim to provide important inputs to the 8th World Water Forum, which will be held in Brazil in 2018. Registration to the 4th Istanbul International Water Forum will be free of charge.

Waterpower Week
2017-05-01 - 2017-05-03 | Capital Hilton, Washington D.C, United States
The Waterpower Week in Washington gathers IMREC, METS and NHA’s Annual Conference providing a unique opportunity to network and discuss about policy change and government affairs in the hydro and marine industry. This event will highlight perspectives on the role of hydro, explore issues affecting hydro and marine resources, and help participants develop a future game plan to meet challenges and ensure the future sustainability of the hydro and marine industry.

2nd Stakeholder Consultation Meeting for the 8th World Water Forum
2017-04-26 - 2017-04-27 | Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
Registration is open.
During 26-27 april, 2017, the 2nd stakeholder Consultation Meeting for the 8th World Water forum is set to take place in Brasília, Brazil. The goal of this important meeting is to constitute a milestone to ensure comprehensive consultations and the engagement process that will lead to the 8th World Water forum (18- 23 March 2018).
To register and confirm your attendance to the 2nd stakeholder Consultation Meeting, kindly visit this link: www.worldwaterforum8.org/news/2nd-stakeholder-meeting-register.
For additional information, more details are available at www.worldwaterforum8.org or simple send an email to secretariat@worldwaterforum8.org.
The international Water resources association will actively be present at this event, not only promoting the XVI World Water Congress as a major stepping stone in the ‘road to Brasilia’ but also in its capacity as a member of the theme Coordination group (tCg) for the Cross- cutting theme “Capacity”, and in the topic Coordination for “Water Quality”.

World Water Day
2017-03-22
World Water Day, on 22 March every year, was about taking action to tackle the water crisis. By 2017, there were over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water. This year’s theme: Why waste water? in support of SDG 6.3 on improving water quality and reducing, treating and reusing wastewater.
Globally, the vast majority of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused – polluting drinking and bathing and irrigation and losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials. Reducing and safely treating and reusing wastewater, for example in agriculture and aquaculture, protects worker, farmers and consumers promotes food security, health and wellbeing.

IWRA's 45th Anniversary
2016-11-29
Officially founded 29 November 1971, IWRA has been promoting for more than 45 years better understanding on water education, research and information exchange for sustainable water resources.
IWRA is honoured to celebrate the 45th anniversary of its foundation. Established in 1971 as an educational organization by members of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and other related constituencies, it provides a unique knowledge platform connecting people, organisations and institutions, while bridging disciplines and geographies for the sustainable management of the water resources, globally.
After 45 years, IWRA’s approach today is still the same. Emphasising on the constant need, on one hand, to address water challenges and priorities on a more coordinated and cooperative manner, and on the other hand, to develop new and interdisciplinary approaches at the international scale, IWRA builds on these efforts and focuses also today on the provision of a scientific and policy dedicated forum for water issues, the advance on water resources and environment research, the promotion of education with reliable and up-to-date information and data, and the generation and sharing of quality knowledge and expertise for the sound management of the world water resources, especially through its triennial World Water Congress, its flagship publications – Water International, IWRA Update, Policy Briefs -, its series of webinars and its extensive and diverse network of members in all regions of the globe.
IWRA’s forty-fifth anniversary took place in the context of the XVI World Water Congress in Cancun, Mexico (29 May – 2 June, 2017), with dedicated celebrations and special publications as well as various surprises for our members and supporters. IWRA looked forward to your participation in its 45th anniversary and sharing together memorable moments!
