The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is pleased to announce a call for cities to host the flagship desalination & reuse event, driving innovation, collaboration, and water security. Formal bids to host the 2028 IDRA World Congress will be accepted until January 15^th, 2026.

For more than four decades, the IDRA World Congress has served as the premier global event advancing innovation, technical development, and business exchange among stakeholders focused on sustainable water solutions. Held every two years, the Congress attracts participants from more than 60 countries and features:

• An industry-wide exhibition showcasing technologies and solutions.
• A four-day, peer-reviewed technical program with parallel tracks and thematic sessions.
• A high-level Leaders’ Summit convening executives from finance, legal, project development, utilities, and technical solution providers.
• Innovation Hackathons, Datathons, IDRA NextWave Start-Up Pitch Competition, workshops, training programs, and Young Leaders activities.

The IDRA World Congress creates unparalleled opportunities for collaboration, networking, and collective action on global water scarcity challenges.

IDRA designates five regions for this competitive process: Europe, Latin America/the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and Asia Pacific. Bid evaluations consider demonstrated support from local agencies, public sector leaders, and private-sector partners. Following review and scoring by the IDRA Site Selection Committee, site inspections will be conducted at the top two locations.

The selected host will be announced at the 2026 IDRA World Congress in Riyadh: Driving Global Water Sustainability through Innovation, to be held in Saudi Arabia from November 1 to 5, 2026, under the patronage of the Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture (MEWA), and hosted by the Saudi Water Authority.

The 2028 IDRA World Congress host will join an impressive roster of World Congress hosts and locations, including:

For More Information

To obtain details on the 2028 site selection criteria and bid requirements, please contact  easg@idrawater.org

About the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA)

Founded in 1973, IDRA serves as the global hub for the desalination and water reuse community. A nonprofit association, IDRA serves members in more than 60 countries and connects partner associations worldwide across various sectors. Its membership includes scientists, developers, regulators, utilities, engineers, consultants, academics, and private sector leaders. IDRA holds recognized consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UNFCCC and is a partner of the FAO WASAG framework. IDRA advances solutions to water scarcity through innovation, advocacy, and knowledge exchange.
www.idrawater.org
 www.idrawater.org

About the IDRA World Congress

The biennial IDRA World Congress is the leading global event on desalination and advanced water treatment technologies. It features a robust, peer-reviewed, four-day, four-track technical program, a dynamic Leaders’ Summit, thematic sessions, IDRA NextWave Start-up pitch competition, innovation forums, training courses and workshops, plant tours, Young Leader initiatives, and prestigious industry and sustainability awards. With a lively exhibition and multi-track format, the Congress convenes utilities, developers, investors, researchers, regulators, academics, and technology providers to advance solutions to global water challenges and address the growing role of desalination and reuse in a water-secure future.

About the IDRA World Congress 2026 – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Under the theme “Driving Global Water Sustainability Through Innovation,” the 20th edition of the IDRA World Congress in 2026 will convene experts, decision-makers, and innovators to showcase the latest technologies, promote sustainable water development, and support global development goals.