The Global Water Sustainability Conference
7 - 9 December 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Hosted by
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF WATER
The Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference 2026 (IDWS), the year's most prominent annual returns to Jeddah with renewed momentum. Taking place from December 7 to 9, it will bring together thousands of attendees, leading exhibiting brands, influential top speakers, investors, and innovative startups to accelerate progress across the water sector.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IDWS 2026 reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for water innovation and investment. From high-level government consultations to active project collaboration, the event will continue to foster meaningful partnerships, drive capital deployment, and enable large-scale implementation.
10,000+
Attendees
150+
Global Brands
250+
Speakers
140+
Countries Represented
Inside IDWS
The fifth edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference is being held this year under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region.
The conference brings together an elite group of global leaders, innovators, and researchers from various fields within the water sector to drive investment, policies, and technologies toward the future. It also hosts the fourth edition of the Global Water Innovation Award.
INNOVATION IN WATER
Conference
A structured three-day programme examining how water systems are governed, financed and deployed at scale – with the policymakers, financiers, utilities, industry and technology leaders responsible for making that happen.
Global Prize for Innovation in Water
A global award spotlighting bold solutions to the sector’s most pressing challenges – from early-stage research and ready-to-deploy technologies to scalable, real-world applications.
Miyahthon
A competitive water hackathon that brings together global innovators to present breakthrough ideas and develop practical, scalable solutions for the water sector.
Technical Briefings
Concentrated sessions for technical professionals, focused expert content on the technologies, strategies and approaches driving innovation across water management and treatment.
Global Exhibition
A showcase of the latest technologies in water sustainability, where startups and leading organisations present practical solutions that connect innovation with real-world application.
The Water Academy
Professional development at the frontier of water practice. Led by the Saudi Water Authority, the Academy delivers specialist training in water governance, technology and operations – drawing directly on the knowledge base of the world’s most ambitious national water transformation.
Next Wave Stage
The first place you hear about it. Live partnership signings, product launches and industry announcements as they happen – alongside Hear the Expert: candid, unscripted conversations with leading practitioners on what’s working and what’s coming next.
LEADING THE FUTURE OF WATER SUSTAINABILITY
FROM SAUDI ARABIA TO THE WORLD
Statement by His Excellency, the President of the Saudi Water Authority
Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS) is where global water strategy, technology and policy take shape. Guided by the vision of His Excellency Abdullah Ibrahim Al Abdul Karim, President of the Saudi Water Authority, IDWS brings together experts, innovators and decision-makers to advance solutions for a secure and sustainable water future.
Rooted in Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in water management, the conference unites international perspectives to drive progress across innovation, governance and long-term resource resilience.
2025 SPEAKER LINE-UP
QUOTES FROM IDWS 2025
Partnerships are critical to accelerating global solutions and investments.
Bryan Harvey (Vice President, Jacobs)
Data intelligence enabled Mumbai to turn pollution hotspots into measurable progress.
Asim Bhalerao (CEO, Fluid Analytics)
Literally 50% of the world’s water is being wasted while it is being delivered. I don’t know how many of us would allow a bank to lose 40% of our money and say, ‘Hey, let’s get more jobs and more money back into the bank’.
Krishna Prashanth (Global Product Line Manager-EMF, ABB)
The water sector can no longer afford to move slowly – generative AI has become secure, powerful and an essential part of advancing how we model and operate water systems.
Gigi Karmous-Edwards (CEO & President of Karmous Edwards Consulting)
The global digital water market is projected to reach $54B by 2023’.
Lie Zhang (Vice President, Shenzhen Water & Environment Group & Chairman, Shenzhen Water Co.)
Regional water solutions require cross-border cooperation, innovation and scaled finance, which is why our strategy focuses on innovative funding and technology in the Arab region.
Dr. Adel Samei Felfel (Economic Advisor, Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development)
Climate change is turning water innovation into one of the most investable sectors of our era.
Tom Ferguson (Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures)
We need water innovations to be scaled as quickly as possible, nationally and globally.
Jaehyang So (Chair, TEC at Global Water Partnership)
We see the GCC emerging as a powerful centre for innovation in water technologies – solutions specifically designed for water-scarce environments and increasingly transferable to other countries.
Laura Vecvagare (Regional Head of Industry, Infrastructure and Natural Resources, International Finance Corporation)
2025 Sponsors
Empowerment Partners
Achievement Partner
Primary Partner
Digital Enabler Partner
Strategic Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Media Partners
