The International Water Association and the Inter-American Development Bank are co-convening an international conference that will focus on implementation of innovation for sustainability in the real-world venues of cities, industry, and agriculture. We will share perspectives and encourage collaboration among the many stakeholders who play a role in how we use water— municipalities, industrial users, agriculture, policy-makers, regulators, environmental and social organizations, equipment and technology suppliers, consultants, researchers and academicians, financial institutions, and underserved populations. This conference will be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador from September 30th through October 3, 2019, with the support of both Ghent University and ESPOL University.

Although there will be discussion of concepts, analytical tools, and technologies, the focus will be on their application. This real-world focus will be reflected in active recruitment of speakers and participants from outside the world of academia and IWA membership, to include all who either affect or are affected by water use by cities, industry, or agriculture. A key goal of this conference will be to develop recommendations and action plans designed to support collaborative efforts among the stakeholders who play a role in the path from sustainability concepts to implementation of sustainable practices.