Islands Water Congress
Why an Islands Water Congress?
Island communities face distinct freshwater challenges, which are influenced by scale, geography, climate vulnerability, governance structures, and economic and demographic change. Yet, while island communities share certain characteristics, each island faces its own distinct realities – even islands within the same country or region can vary significantly from each other. This means that islands present unique water management conditions that are not appropriately addressed through frameworks developed for continental settings.
Building on decades of experience delivering international water congresses, in 2024 IWRA launched the Islands Water Congress as one of the only global events 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.
2nd Islands Water Congress
The IWRA, in partnership with the Water Resources Authority of Jamaica (WRA), is proud to co-host the 2nd Islands Water Congress, taking place in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 27-29 January 2027.
Under the theme “Resilient Islands: Securing Water for Sustainable Development in a Changing World,” the 2nd Islands Water Congress will explore how islands are strengthening resilience through Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), integrated water and wastewater management (IWWM), climate-smart infrastructure, improved monitoring and data management, and nature-based and ecosystem-based solutions.
The Congress will also provide an opportunity to discuss how Jamaica prepared for, responded to, and is undertaking long-term recovery and adaptation following the unprecedented impacts of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 event that severely disrupted the country’s social, economic, and environmental systems.
1st Islands Water Congress
The IWRA and the Faroese Geological Survey (Jarðfeingi) held the 1st Islands Water Congress from 4-6 September at the Nordic House in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. Hosted by Jarðfeingi (the Faroese Geological Survey), this flagship event provided a platform for critical insights into the distinct challenges and opportunities surrounding freshwater water management on islands. Bringing together global experts, decision-makers, and island communities from 40 countries, the Congress offered a comprehensive look into how islands can take the lead in addressing some of the world’s most pressing water issues.
Theme: Freshwater and Islands: Administration, Collaboration and Innovation
Key outcomes from the 1st Island Water Congress
As with all IWRA events, the Islands Water Congress is designed to deliver a lasting legacy for the host country. The first Islands Water Congress resulted in multiple tangible outcomes, including:
• The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Tórshavn Dialogue on Sustainable Freshwater Management on Islands;
• The production of the IWRA Islands Water Congress Policy Report;
• The formation of a legal expert group drawn from the Congress International Scientific Committee;
• The creation of a new IWRA Task Force on Islands and Water;
• The development of special journal issues in Water International and Island Studies;
• The integration of island perspectives into the XIX World Water Congress in 2025; and
• Contributions to the advancement of a draft Water Act for the Faroe Islands, expected to be considered by the Faroese Parliament.
