The World Water Congress, one of the most significant global water events, will be jointly organized by Türkiye and the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) in Istanbul in 2027.
The 19th World Water Congress, where water experts from around the world shared innovations and experiences in the water sector, took place in Marrakesh, Morocco, on 1–5 December 2025, with representatives from nearly 100 countries. Under the leadership of Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. İbrahim Yumaklı, a high-level Turkish delegation attended the Congress, including Deputy Minister Ebubekir Gizligider, SUEN President Prof. Lütfi Akca, and representatives of relevant water departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The Turkish delegation actively engaged in various thematic sessions and high-level panels throughout the Congress, sharing Türkiye’s expertise and experience in water management with the international community. During the closing session of the Congress, it was officially announced that the next gathering of the international water representatives will take place in Istanbul.
In the “Flag Handover Ceremony” held at the closing session in Marrakesh, Türkiye was officially confirmed as of host country for the upcoming Congress. Minister Yumaklı received the Congress flag from Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka. In his speech, Minister Yumaklı emphasized that the 20th World Water Congress will mark an important milestone for the global water community and highlighted Türkiye’s goal of bringing together İstanbul’s historical legacy with its modern water management capacity.
This major event, to be hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will take place with the overarching theme “Smart, Resilient and Circular: Water in Transition”. The five-day event is expected to host approximately 3,000 participants from nearly 100 countries. The Congress aims to bring together scientific knowledge, technology, and policy expertise that will shape the future of water.
The Congress, which will be held in İstanbul in 2027, aims to offer innovative and multidimensional solutions to the challenges in water resources management. By addressing the multidimensional transformation of water - ranging from digital innovations to nature-based solutions, from the circular water economy to the One Water-One Health approach -the Congress seeks to strengthen the bridge between science and policy and serve as a global milestone for the water community.