Annual Review 2011 - IWA

Brokering Knowledge
Events
Each year IWA organises and sponsors many specialised
conferences, seminars and workshops covering a wide
range of water management sector topics, with the high
level of the conference programmes attracting leading
water researchers globally. The strength of IWA lies in
the professional and geographic diversity of its members,
representing a worldwide network of consultants, regulators,
industrial water users and water equipment manufacturers
in over 130 countries. The location of the conferences
highlights the global reach of IWA – 52 events have been
staged in the past 12 months, in 29 countries and with
well over 10,000 participants. Another 21 events are
already scheduled for 2012.
Highlights from the past year
Shaping the future of water - IWA World Water
Congress & Exhibition in Montreal Canada,
September 2010
Cities of the Future, Water, Climate and Energy
and Innovation in the Water Sector were the key
overarching themes of the 2010 IWA World Water
Congress & Exhibition in Montreal, Canada. In an
era where the water industry faces unprecedented
challenges due to the additional stresses to water
management associated with population growth,
urbanisation and the effects of climate change,
over 3700 participants from 90 counties debated
issues related to urban water service delivery
around the world.
‘This World Water Congress continued the successful series
for IWA and its partners. It brought home the increased
influence that IWA has developed in the world of water,
particularly in water supply and sanitation services,’ said IWA’s
Immediate Past President, Dr David Garman.
‘The major emphasis on sustainability coupled with visions for
Cities of the Future and innovation in the water industry on
a world-wide basis has shown that there are solutions where
there is a will to invest in them. The Congress showed that
sustainability is being achieved in many different ways around
the world. There are practical solutions that can be modified
and transferred for all water systems whether in developed or
developing countries,’ Dr Garman continued.
Over 1150 papers and posters were presented across 96
technical sessions, 42 workshops, 40 industry forums,
4 regional forums and the poster presentation area.
8 keynote speeches from the best in the field inspired
delegates to share best practice on a global scale and make
good progress in driving research and innovation in the
water sector into practical solutions.
The Development Corner which was hosted within the
exhibition hall brought congress delegates a series of
informal interactive dialogues on emerging topics of
interest and discussions on the challenges and solutions to
water and sanitation issues in the developing world.
Dr Garman said: ‘Our partners, including the major
development banks, were present to support our view that a
“can do” philosophy using the expertise of members of IWA
has got to be the future for water supply and sanitation in
urban development in the future. This Congress has proved
that regional representative offices show our commitment
to a world-wide involvement for IWA. The attendance in
Montreal from so many countries is testament to members’
commitment to IWA.’.
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