Dear colleagues and friends,

We are delighted to welcome you to IWA’s 2021 Digital World Water Congress. This virtual event has been a classic case of necessity being the mother of invention. As a result of Covid-19, none of us could meet face to face in 2020. However, given IWA had already developed an outstanding programme of activity, we still wanted to provide members and stakeholders with a platform to share ideas and network.

This determination to be a positive force for good for our industry, despite the challenges we face, highlights the value of IWA to our members and the industry.

Our focus now is rising to the current and future issues the water sector faces, and to provide compelling and enduring solutions. A key part of this is the ‘build back better’ agenda, a phrase recently popularised by the UN and World Bank, among others.

Our question to you all therefore is – how can the water sector play a role in building back our economies and societies post-coronavirus in a way which protects the natural environment and is sustainable?

We believe there are huge opportunities in all contexts across the world. For instance, technology can play a critical role in improving access to water and sanitation in low-income countries. Meanwhile, many high-income countries don’t have a circular approach to water usage – meaning there are substantial efficiencies to be found.

IWA looks forward to discussing this topic during the Digital World Water Congress, as well as showcasing presentations from dozens of members from around the world, across six themes.

As well as the core schedule, there is also a poster presentation hall, covering further research and insight into how we move to a more water-wise world. The event will also play host to the IWA Awards, as well as offering networking, the opportunity to view three exciting water documentaries free on-demand, and more.

Now is the time for us all to collaborate and work with a laser-like focus on solutions to enable benefits to be felt across an array of social, environmental, economic and health outcomes. We therefore hope the event proves compelling, informative and engaging – and helps enable these conversations and initiatives to develop. 

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Tom Mollenkopf, IWA President
Kala Vairavamoorthy, IWA Executive Director