IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition
1 – 5 December 2019 ■ Colombo, Sri Lanka
Congress in Numbers
3000
participants
261
presentations
100+
exhibitors
90
countries
64
sessions
Where the water and the development sectors meet
2019 IWA Water Development Awards
IWA Water and Development Award – Research
Dr. Miriam Otoo has co-led and produced an 800-page book on Business Models for Energy, Nutrient and Water Reuse in Low- and Middle-income countries, and framework for testing the implementation feasibility of resource recovery and reuse (RRR) models. Her research incentivises the participation of the private sector, leverages private capital, and forms public-private partnerships which help to realise the value of waste as a resource for safe reuse. Dr. Otoo was honoured for her contribution to, and initiation of, research on RRR business models for lower and middle-income countries.
IWA Water and Development Award – Practice
The IWA Development Award jury considered the implementation of low-cost technology in extremely vulnerable dry regions to epitomise the spirit of the Award. The business model incentivises the transfer of funds from companies to farmers, having a strong direct impact in the communities served and contribute to the maintenance of food production in times of drought. To date, Mr Meeranaik has implemented the system across India, in over 1,500 bore wells. Mr. Sikandar Meeranaik was honoured for his engagement in Borewell Recharge and Rainwater Harvesting in rural
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Keynote sessions and plenary discussions
Opening Ceremony
Full session
Rosie Wheen:
Human Rights to safe drinking water and Sanitation
Pay Drechsel:
Resource recovery & reuse business models
Madhu Krishna:
Ensuring a diverse and fair water and sanitation sector
Silver Mugisha:
Utility management in emerging economies
Valerie Naidoo:
Innovation to overcome global water challenges
Water is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. With developing and emerging economies confronted with some of the biggest water challenges they also represent some of the biggest opportunities to get our water future right.
Closing Ceremony
Watch the full sessions now on the new IWA Connect Channel: IWA LEARN
Leading voices and thought-leaders

Doulaye Kone
Deputy Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene program – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Rosie Wheen
Chief Executive – WaterAid Australia

Pay Drechsel
International Water Management Institute

Madhu Krishna
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
India Country Office

Silver Mugisha
National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Uganda

Valerie Naidoo
Water Research Commission, South Africa
An Outstanding Water Destination
Showcase your company and solutions in front of over 2000 water professionals.
Inspiring change, together!
We partner with some of the water sector’s leading companies and organisations and work together for a better water future. Our sponsors and partners benefit from a unique opportunity to connect and network with thought leaders from within and outside the water sector.
Co-organised by

Sri Lanka Government

National Water
Supply & Drainage Board
The 2017 edition
Water professionals vision
Innovative financing mechanisms to meet SDG6 target
IWA Development Award for Water Research 2017 WINNER
Exhibition of sustainable solutions for water and sanitation
#DevelopmentCongress – Connect the world to Water
Themes discussed at the #DevelopmentCongress
A promising event that will take participants on a journey through the state of the art in water knowledge and leadership for emerging economies.
Posts to IWA’s twitter @IWAHQ
Official congress hashtag #DevelopmentCongress#iwacongress
IWA landmark hashtag #waterinnovation #waterwise