A distinctive and fundamental piece for the success of this major international water events, was and continues to be the active role of the International Scientific Committees (ISC), particularly the designated chairs. The ISC Chairs/Co-Chairs have been overseeing all arrangements related to the scientific and technical content, namely:

• Proposing the Congress themes and sub-themes agreed with co-hosts and IWRA Presidents
• Preparing the calls for abstracts, special sessions and side events
• Selecting papers for oral and poster presentations, as well as author/ presenter management
• Determining the time schedule for the different technical sessions
• Determining of the final programme of the congresses
• Selecting the special sessions, plenary sessions and side-events (with the cooperation and assistance of IWRA and co-hosts)
• Proposing keynote speakers (with the cooperation and assistance of IWRA and co-hosts)

The Association would, therefore, like to recognise and thank each one of the Chairs from the past World Water Congress for their efforts linking researchers and practitioners for nearly 50 years in order to provide a unique meeting place to share experiences, promote discussion, and to present new knowledge, research results and new developments in the field of water sciences around the world.  This helped, ultimately, towards the sustainable management and use of the world water resources, as well as the goals and objectives set on related international water and development agendas.