Apply Now: Host the 3rd Islands Water Congress in 2028!
The International Water Resources Association (IWRA) is pleased to announce that the call is now open to host the 3rd edition of the Islands Water Congress.
Building on decades of experience delivering international water congresses, in 2024 IWRA launched its inaugural Islands Water Congress as the only global event dedicated specifically to the freshwater challenges and opportunities faced by island nations and communities.
Held for two to three days every two years, the Islands Water Congress brings together island governments, practitioners, researchers and communities to advance island-specific water management approaches. The Congress combines global expertise with local relevance, enabling host islands to address their priority challenges and contribute practical insight to a growing international body of island water knowledge.
Why host the Islands Water Congress?
Island communities are on the frontline of water-related challenges — from climate change and freshwater scarcity to governance, infrastructure, and ecosystem protection. At the same time, islands are powerful sites for innovation, resilience, and integrated water management.
Hosting the Islands Water Congress provides island nations, organisations, and communities with a powerful platform to elevate their experiences within global water dialogue, while reinforcing local and regional impact.
The benefits for hosting and organising the Islands Congress in partnership with IWRA include:
LEADERSHIP
Position the host islands as a leader in freshwater management, gaining international attention from researchers, policy-makers, water authorities, private sector, and civil society organisations.
COLLABORATION
Strengthen collaboration in local and national water communities while engaging host islands in regional and global water dialogues.
NETWORKING
Enable excellent opportunities for networking with both island and non-island water communities.
REPUTATION
Showcase local and national water expertise, research excellence, and innovation, all while providing a platform for the host island to contribute to international scientific and policy debates.
EXPERTISE
REVENUE
RECOGNITION
LEGACY
Who attends the Islands Water Congress, and why?
The Islands Water Congress brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary community working on freshwater issues in island contexts, mainly:
PRACTITIONERS (Water Managers, Utilities, and Technicians)
- Exchange practical experience, challenges, and solutions across the water sector.
- Learn from case studies, innovations, and applied research in water management.
- Gain insight into emerging trends, technologies, and operational approaches.
PRIVATE SECTOR (Industry and Company Representatives)
- Understand market trends, policy directions, and emerging technologies.
- Explore business opportunities, partnerships, and collaboration with public and private actors.
- Engage with decision-makers and position expertise through panels and technical sessions.
POLICYMAKERS (Political Leaders and Technical Officials)
- Learn from policy approaches and governance models implemented in other regions.
- Exchange experiences with islands facing similar water challenges.
- Strengthen evidence-based decision-making and public engagement on water issues.
- Showcase and access the latest research and analytical insights.
- Build research partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Contribute knowledge and insights that deepen understanding of freshwater in island contexts.
How to apply: Submit your Expression of Interest
Deadline for submission: 15 March 2026
The first step is to send an Expression of Interest (EoI).
EoIs should be addressed to the IWRA Executive Office by email to office@iwra.org with islands.congress@iwra.org in copy.
EoIs must not exceed two (2) pages and should include:
- The lead bidding organisation
- Any proposed co-hosting organisations
- Proposed host city and island
- Details of proposed venue, including maximum capacity
- Preferred dates for hosting the Islands Water Congress
- Motivation for hosting the Islands Water Congress
- Proposed main theme of the Islands Water Congress
- Identification of the organisation(s) committed to payment of hosting fee
- Institutional resources available to support the Islands Water Congress
- Agreement with the Terms of Reference of this document
All EoIs will be reviewed by the IWRA Congress & Events Committee. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full written application in due course by late March/early April.
For more information on the full process timeline, please refer to the Terms of Reference.
Need more information?
We’re here to help! Reach out to us at islands.congress@iwra.org with any questions.