Dutch water sector strengthens international connections at IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026

Connecting knowledge, business and impact

The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 highlighted the urgency of translating knowledge and innovation into practical solutions. 

As in previous years, a Netherlands Pavilion was part of the Exhibition. Opened by Meike van Ginneken, Dutch Special Envoy on water, the Pavilion was a solid platform that showcased Dutch water expertise and was a meeting place for Dutch organisations and international visitors. The organisations involved included Aquatech, FieldFactors, Haskoning, HULO.ai, IGRAC, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Join the Pipe – City Water, Luper Technologies, MicroLAN, NX Filtration, Purgatoria and Van Remmen UV Technology. They demonstrated the breadth of Dutch expertise that ranges from water treatment technologies and innovative filtration solutions to groundwater knowledge, digital water management, monitoring and education.

Innovation and international partnerships at the centre 

Alongside one-to-one conversations at the Pavilion, Dutch exhibitors contributed to IWA’s programme through two Business Forum sessions moderated by Arjan Braamskamp, Head of Business Relations at NWP. The sessions gave Dutch participants the opportunity to present their solutions and take part in lively discussions about technology, systemic change and lasting impact.

In one session, Haskoning, Purgatoria and Van Remmen presented technologies at different stages of development, from established solutions to innovations approaching market entry. The discussion explored mitigation and adaptation, behavioural change, and the importance of tailoring solutions to local and cultural contexts.

In the other session, Hulo, IHE Delft, Luper Technologies and NX Filtration discussed the relationship between technology developers, end users and local partners, and the conditions needed to turn a technology into a solution for a real societal challenge. Key topics included the customer journey, the skills required for on-site implementation and management, and the need for an integrated approach.

Expanding access and inclusion in the water sector

Innovation was one of the key themes to emerge from the congress in Glasgow. Digital technologies, artificial intelligence, smart monitoring and data-driven asset management are helping utilities improve operational efficiency, reduce water losses and manage infrastructure more effectively.

The Congress also placed strong emphasis on ‘water for people’, looking beyond the traditional water sector to develop skills, support early-career leadership and broaden participation. Discussions throughout the event addressed how to attract new people to the sector, provide training, and help them grow and build lasting careers.

The Netherlands Pavilion’s programme contributed to these discussions. Machteld Goossensen, Junior Project Officer at NWP, moderated a session on inclusive participation in international projects and North-South collaboration as part of IWA’s Women in Water programme. The session brought together five panellists: three Young Expert Programmes alumni and two speakers from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

Another well attended event at the Pavilion was a networking reception, opened by Lorna Jack, Honorary Consul at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Scotland. IHE Delft and KWR also supported the reception.

Building on the momentum from Glasgow

The combination of scientific exchange, technology demonstrations, Business Forum sessions and informal networking created a valuable environment for sharing experiences and exploring future opportunities. As the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 came to its end, attention shifted towards maintaining the connections established at the event and translating discussions into meaningful follow-up.

NWP thanks all the organisations that joined the Netherlands Pavilion, Water Alliance and the many international partners and visitors who helped create an inspiring week in Glasgow. Together, we continue to connect Dutch water expertise with international opportunities, turning water challenges into opportunities for partnerships, tailored solutions and water impact.

The next edition of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition will take place in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2028, providing a further opportunity to strengthen international collaboration and showcase progress. At NWP, we invite the Dutch community interested in being present at the Exhibition to email us at events@nwp.nl to explore opportunities for a joint Dutch presence under the umbrella of the Netherlands Pavilion.