The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) will be hosting its 5th Global WOPs Congress in Bonn, Germany. The congress aims to convene the global water and sanitation utility community to address the challenges faced by operators in providing reliable water and sanitation services. It will take place on 22-25 May and will provide a platform for practitioners to discuss collaboration opportunities in navigating obstacles such as conflict, population growth, climate change, ecosystem degradation, and the ongoing pandemic. The congress will offer valuable insights and strategies to improve water and sanitation services worldwide. 

As a member of GWOPA, IWA will actively participate in the congress through its flagship initiatives: Inclusive Urban Sanitation and Climate Smart Utilities. The initiatives form part of IWA’s work to promote inclusive, resilient, water-wise and sanitation-secure cities. 

Here you can find the list of activities and events where the International Water Association will participate while at the 5th Global WOPs Congress on 22-25 May. We look forward to seeing you at our events! 

The sessions will be streamed online. Register here

Highlights of IWA activities 

22 May 

Utilities mitigating climate change 

Co-conveners: CoP Water Resources Resilience and Climate Change, WaterLinks, International Water Association (IWA), WaterWorX 

Time and place: 15:45-17:15 CET, Plenary Room 

More information available here. 

WOPs Special Issue Journal: Principles and practices (1)

Co-conveners: IHE Delft, GWOPA, IWA 

Time and place: 15:45-17:15 CET, Kleiner Saal 

More information available here. 

Future-facing operators: Perspectives and innovations to reach the SDGs 

Congress plenary keynote: Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, IWA Executive Director 

Time and place: 17:15 – 18:15 CET, Plenary room 

More information available here. 

23 May

Sanitation and wastewater management in SWOPs 

Co-conveners: International Water Association (IWA), German Water Partnership, Waterlinks, Center for Water and Sanitation (CRDF) India, Vitens Evides International 

Time and Place: 10:30-12:00 CET, Bonn Room 

More information available here. 

Grounding nature-based solutions and water resource protection 

Co-conveners: Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá (EAAB), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, International Water Association (IWA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) 

Time and place: 10:30 – 12:00 CET, Plenary Room 

More information available here. 

Equitable water and sanitation provision in low Income areas and informal settlements: how to achieve the human right to water and sanitation 

Co-conveners: Water Integrity Network (WIN), Nakuru County Government ,UN Habitat, WaterAid, Eastern Umbrella of Water and Sanitation – Uganda, Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL), VEI, Lima Water Utility Company (SEDAPAL), Engineers Without Borders Denmark, Novafos  

Time and place: 13:30 – 15:00 CET, Bonn Room 

More information available here. 

WOPs Special Issue Journal: Principles and practices (2)

Co-conveners: IHE Delft, GWOPA, IWA 

Time and place: 13:30-15:00 CET, Main Lobby 

More information available here. 

24 May

WaterProof: Rapid ROI Assessment of Nature-based Solutions for Water Security

Co-conveners: IWA and The Nature Conservancy

Time and place: 10:30-12:00 CET, Berlin Room

More information available here.

WOPs Special Issue Journal: Principles and practices (3)

Co-conveners: IHE Delft, GWOPA, IWA 

Time and place: 13:30-15:00 CET, Main Lobby 

More information available here.