Programme Theme: Contextualising water and sanitation regulation in different settings

Presentation slides: download it here.

The International Water Regulators Forum (IWRF) is the international meeting of the global network of regulators of IWA. It gathers high-level representatives of regulatory authorities and officials of agencies with regulatory and supervisory functions over the provision of water, sanitation, and wastewater treatment services.

The 8th IWRF will be held during the 2023 IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda, where a highly prioritised agenda addressing current regulatory priority challenges and topics of interest to regulators will be covered. Attendance of the Forum is by invitation only. The Forum will conclude with a closing plenary where discussions will be summarised and recommendations presented, providing an opportunity to engage with other relevant stakeholders and explore the interlinkages between regulation, science, policy and practice. The Forum is being shaped and steered by a diverse and motivated Programme Committee, a committed group of professionals consisting of high-profile members of the IWA Regulators Community.

The upcoming 8th IWRF will focus on reevaluating and amplifying the role of regulators and regulations in achieving the SDGs and the Agenda 2030, considering the different contexts in which water and sanitation regulation is applied around the world. Building on the success of previous editions, the 2023 edition aims to identify innovative developments and chart a path towards resilient and sustainable universal access to water and sanitation for all. By exploring the adaptive and innovative approaches required to address varying socio-economic, geographical, and cultural contexts, the Forum aims to uncover the opportunities and challenges inherent in tailoring water regulation strategies to specific settings, fostering a deeper understanding of how regulatory frameworks can be optimised for maximum impact in a rapidly changing world.

Objectives of the 8^th IWRF

• Increase awareness among water regulators, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders about the different water governance and management settings, and the importance of adapting water regulation to local characteristics.
• Identify opportunities for policy reforms and legal changes that align with different and non-traditional water governance and management formats taking into consideration the socioeconomic context.
• Foster dialogue and understanding between Western science and indigenous knowledge systems to promote cross-cultural learning and collaboration in water governance and management.

To request an invitation to the Forum or for more information about the Forum and its technical content, please contact Isabela Espindola, IWA’s Membership Engagement Senior Officer, responsible for IWA’s Water Policy and Regulation agenda.