IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition

‘Water, sanitation, and climate resilience – keys to a water-wise future’. This is the chosen theme for the 7th edition of the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition (WDCE), which will take place from 10 to 14 December 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. This event is organised by The International Water Association (IWA), in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure and the Water & Sanitation Corporation and with the support of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.

Hosting the IWA WDCE 2023 in Rwanda provides a unique opportunity to bring together water professionals from around the world, particularly from Africa, to network with water sector leaders, and to highlight and share knowledge on the latest trends in best practice and innovative technologies.

About the Congress

The IWA WDCE features a mix of workshops, seminars, plenary sessions, side events, award ceremonies, poster sessions and a dedicated exhibition to help drive water cooperation and water solutions that can be applied globally.

This year, its programme will focus on presenting solutions for water and sanitation projects, the role of water in the urban environment, the link between cities and river basins, and the route to climate adaptation. The selected thematic tracks are:

• Drinking water treatment and supply
• Wastewater treatment and sanitation services
• Integrated water management and planning
• Utility management and operation
• Governance and finance

Netherlands Lounge at the exhibition floor

For many years, the water sector has recognised the rapid transformation taking place in the water sector in Africa and other developing countries. The implementation of large water and wastewater infrastructure schemes offers outstanding opportunities for knowledge transfer, partnerships and growth. 

The IWA WDCE 2023 expects to bring together over 3,500 participants – a global audience of practitioners, utility managers, government officials, NGO representatives, technology providers, etc. who will meet at the exhibition floor where several thematic and country pavilions will stand, including the Netherlands. The Netherlands Lounge, hosted by the Netherlands Water Partnership, offers a meeting point for networking activities and a resting area between Congress' sessions.

Exhibitors at the NL Lounge

Looking for reliable partners to tackle pressing water issues? Meet up with the exhibitors of the NL Lounge.

AQUAVIRUNGA LTD
AQUAVIRUNGA LTD, a collaborative effort between Dutch water company PWN and AQUARWANDA LTD, has been a trailblazer in professional water supply in Rwanda since 2007. With a commitment to increasing access to clean water for the rural population with efficiency and in a sustainable manner, it provides drinking water to over 420,000 people in Rubavu, Nyabihu, and Musanze districts through public-private-partnerships, fostering health and well-being. Visit website.

Climate Fund Managers
Climate Fund Managers (CFM) is a leading climate-centric blended finance fund manager. CFM manages two emerging market infrastructure funds focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation: Climate Investor One, focused on renewable energy, and Climate Investor Two, focused on water, sanitation and oceans infrastructure. CFM is currently raising its third fund, Climate Credit Fund, a USD1bn target private credit fund focused on post-COD refinancing for renewable energy projects and is preparing for a fourth fund focused on green hydrogen. Visit website.

Deltares
Deltares is a world-leading, and mission-driven Dutch knowledge institute in the field of water and subsurface. Throughout the world, Deltares works on innovative solutions and applications for people, environment and society. Its main focus is on deltas, coastal regions and river basins. ‘Enabling delta life’ is its mission and ambition. Visit website.

FutureWater
FutureWater is a research and consulting organisation that works throughout the world to combine scientific research with practical solutions for water management. FutureWater works at both global, national and local levels with partners on projects addressing water for food, irrigation, water excess, water shortage, climate change, and river basin management. Visit website.

LG Sonic
LG Sonic specialises in sustainable technology for water quality monitoring and algae control. As a leader in algae management, LG Sonic technology has been present in over 55 countries globally, predominantly serving drinking water utilities, governments, and power plants to remediate large water surfaces. Visit website.

Netherlands Water Partnership
Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) is a network of Dutch water organisations working worldwide on co-creating future-proof solutions and catalysing global water impact. NWP implements programmes that enhance cross-sector collaboration and innovation; helps build coalitions around themes or regions to enhance collective impact; raises the water organisations’ international profile; and, unites the sector to positively influence policy and collectively contribute to reaching the SDGs. Through its wide network, NWP can link organisations and individuals in the water sector who may not always find each other in their immediate circles. Visit website.  

SNV
SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working across Africa and Asia. Our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Visit website.

TechForce
TechForce Projects B.V. is a consultancy providing project funding advisory services and project management services to SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa. TechForce is specialises in project conceptualisation, developing funding proposals, monitoring & evaluation, management of public-private-partnerships, commercial sustainability, and supply chain analysis in food security, water, circular economy, and waste management. Visit website.

Water Footprint Implementation
Water Footprint Implementation (WFI) provides insights and solutions to organisations and government agencies who want to assess and reduce their Water Footprint. They translate the latest scientific data into practice and help quantify and manage your water risks. WFI, together with academic and private sector partners, is launching Water Footprint Compensation, a novel method for mitigating the negative impacts of water consumption, and a platform for matching organisations with fitting compensation projects. Visit website.

Young Expert Programmes
The Young Expert Programmes supports organisations to develop their young professionals into the next generation of leaders in the water, agrofood and energy sectors. The Programmes provides an international work environment and a personal development trajectory, including soft skills training and coaching, for one or two years. Visit website.

ZOA
ZOA is an international relief and recovery organisation. In partnership with VNG International and Agriterra, and funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Kigali, ZOA is executing the 'Transition for Inclusive Development in Eastern Congo' (TRIDE) project. TRIDE focuses on enhancing Integrated Water Resources Management to build resilient agricultural systems in North and South Kivu, alongside addressing access to land and markets. Visit website.

Dutch activities

Be sure to get some interesting insights on Dutch water expertise during our events. Here are a couple of programme highlights:

• NL Business Forum | 12 December | 15:30-16:15 | Business Forum room 1

Some exhibitors of the NL Lounge are participating in the NL Business Forum on Tuesday, 12 December.

The Business Forum is a full component of the Technical Programme of the IWA WDCE2023 and provide a series of sessions where Conference’s delegates and Exhibition’s visitors can interact, discuss and learn about latest Dutch developments and innovations.

• Network reception | 12 December | 18:00-19:30 | NL Lounge

The Dutch Embassy in Kigali, NWP, IHE Delft and VEI are hosting a reception on Tuesday 12 December for the Dutch water sector to come together, and for internationals to meet and connect with fellow Dutch peers.