The IWA network has expanded its reach and diversity with the addition of a new governing member in Sri Lanka, the country that will host the IWA Water and Development Congress 2019, from 1 to 5 December in Colombo.

Joining IWA as a Governing Member is a way to partner with IWA to strengthen the national or regional water professional network and its capacities through exposure to international experiences, knowledge and capacity building, while enhancing the opportunities for the national water professionals to develop an international network, showcase national expertise, and develop their thought leadership.

The Sri Lankan National Committee of the International Water Association (IWA-SL) founding members are: National Water Supply and Drainage Board; Water Resources Board; Irrigation Department; Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka; University of Peradeniya; University of Moratuwa; University of Jaffna; University of Ruhuna; and Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) Water Forum.

Governing Members are at the heart of building IWA’s vision of a Water Wise World, they are the key building blocks of the Association. They are the IWA on the ground at national and regional level, who convene people locally to share best practice and explore new ways of innovating water solutions. The Governing Members nurture and grow the IWA Network, through which they share the latest science, technology and best practices from the sector.  In partnership with IWA they work towards achieving the IWA Vision of a “Network of water professionals striving for a world in which water is managed wisely, sustainably and equitably”.

The IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition 2019 offers an exciting opportunity to leading practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, entrepreneurs and financiers concerned with the future of water to challenge existing conditions, work collaboratively and develop sustainable solutions for emerging economies.

IWA is inviting proposals for technical papers and workshops or learning sessions until 15 March 2019, encouraging new solutions at different scales, from the utility scale (water treatment, wastewater treatment, fecal sludge management, etc), through city scale solutions, up to integrated water management solutions at a peri-urban and basin scale. Authors working on cross-cutting areas that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 are also encouraged to participate.

To know more about the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition 2019 and to submit your work, please visit www.waterdevelopmentcongress.org.