This October, Glasgow will welcome thousands of water professionals from across the world for the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, one of the largest and most influential events in the global water calendar. The Congress is expected to bring together more than 10,000 delegates from utilities, regulators, consultancies, academia, technology providers and NGOs to explore the theme “Water Action – the Path to Resilience and Prosperity.”

For WUN members, Glasgow is a chance to take your network beyond the UK, to hear how women are leading change across the sector worldwide, and to add your voice to conversations shaping the future of water. Whether you’re an established leader, an emerging professional, or attending an international congress for the first time, there’s a place for you here.

A key feature of this year’s Congress is the growing Women in Water programme, designed to increase visibility, leadership, networking and collaboration for women across the global water sector. The ambition isn’t just to host a series of events, but to help build a lasting international community that continues long after the Congress closes.

At the heart of the programme is the Women in Water Connection Hub, a welcoming, visible space within the exhibition hall where delegates can meet, network, learn from expert speakers, seek introductions and build relationships with peers from around the world. It will be especially valuable for first-time attendees, offering a friendly starting point from which to explore the wider Congress. WUN is proud to be one of the Hub’s supporters, and that one of our Directors Sarah McMath, and two of our Advocates, Lyv Nabarro and Gill Edwards, have been instrumental in the development of the Women in Water programme.

Around the Hub, the programme also offers panel discussions, leadership conversations, skills-focused sessions, webinars and podcasts, chances to connect with women and allies from every corner of the water community. It’s open to everyone: building a more inclusive sector takes collective effort and strong allyship.

We hope to see many WUN members in Glasgow this October. Come and visit the Women in Water Connection Hub at stand 015, meet colleagues from across the globe, and help build a more connected, resilient water sector for the future.