JEDDAH: Jeddah will host the fifth edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2026) from December 14 to 16, bringing together the global water innovation community to advance solutions from research and development to implementation and large-scale adoption.
The conference will connect innovators with investors and end users to help strengthen water security, improve service efficiency, and ensure resource sustainability worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
It will also reinforce the conference’s role as an international platform for accelerating innovation and translating it into tangible results in the water sector.
The event will bring together experts, researchers, innovators, investors, and representatives of water-sector organisations from more than 140 countries, according to SPA. More than 250 speakers are expected to participate, with attendance projected to exceed 10,000.
An accompanying exhibition will feature more than 150 global brands, reflecting the scale of international participation and the diverse opportunities for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and partnership building.
The conference agenda comes amid global water challenges and rising demand for water, underscoring the need for more reliable, resilient, and adaptable solutions.
According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, 1.8 billion people still live in households without water supplies on their premises. Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that agriculture accounts for approximately 72% of total freshwater withdrawals worldwide.
The conference will examine the role of policies, governance, financing, and capacity building in accelerating the adoption of promising technologies. It will also explore ways to strengthen integration between scientific research and operational needs while supporting the viability of innovations and the sustainability of their impact.
Discussions will address the integration of solutions across the water cycle, from production and treatment to resource recovery. This approach aims to create broader opportunities to implement innovative solutions and expand their reach.
The conference program will include “MiyahThon,” platforms showcasing startup solutions, and the fourth edition of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water. These initiatives will highlight promising ideas and connect their creators with end users, investors, and partners. They will also open pathways for further development and wider implementation.
