The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2026 is set to bring together thought leaders, experts, and practitioners from governments, cities, utilities, and industry from 15 to 18 June 2026 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. Now in its 11th edition, this biennial event addresses some of the world’s most pressing urban water and climate-associated challenges.
The Context: Pressing Global Water Challenges
SIWW 2026 takes place against a backdrop of mounting pressure on aging urban water systems, higher energy costs, increasing water demand, unsustainable water extraction practices, and more frequent and extreme flooding in urban areas. These effects, caused by rapid urbanization and economic growth, are further exacerbated by climate impacts from extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, and growing demand from water-intensive industries such as data centres.
Addressing these challenges requires governments to adopt a holistic and integrated approach to water management, coupled with good governance, effective policies and regulations, adoption of innovative technological solutions, and active engagement of stakeholders.
Three Key Themes
To this end, SIWW 2026 will focus on three key themes:
- Municipal Water Solutions
- Coastal and Flood Resilience
- Industrial Water Solutions
In total, more than 80 sessions—ranging from high-level panels, roundtables, summits, workshops, forums, and partner events—will be held over four days. The event is expected to attract 2,000 global leaders and experts, along with 25,000 trade visitors to the Water Expo.
Programme Highlights
Opening Ceremony & Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
The Guest-of-Honour, Mr Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, will deliver the opening address on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. This will be followed by the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2026 Award Ceremony, where the 2026 Laureate Professor Joan Bray Rose will receive the Prize medallion and certificate.
Ministerial Plenary
The Ministerial Plenary will be held on the same morning, where Ms Grace Fu, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, will join other invited foreign Water and Environment Ministers to share perspectives on advancing the water and climate agenda.
Other Programme Highlights
- Thought Leadership: High-level platforms such as the SIWW Keynotes, Titans of Industry, Coastal and Flood Resilience Leaders Summit, and Water Leaders Summit will bring together global leaders to exchange insights.
- Solutions and Technology: The Water Convention, TechXchange, and Industrial Water Solutions Forum will provide platforms for sharing urban water management knowledge.
- Business and Networking: The Water Expo, organized in cooperation with IFAT, will feature more than 20 pavilions and close to 500 international exhibitors, serving as a premier marketplace for the global water community.
Distinguished Global Participation
More than 55 utilities from around the world, including the USA, Europe, Middle East, Australia, and Asia, will participate, with at least 40 represented at C-level. They will be joined by close to 30 cities worldwide, including Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Hong Kong, New York City, Dubai, Jakarta, Melbourne, and Tokyo.
Senior leaders from international organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) , Asian Development Bank, World Bank Group, C40 Cities, International Water Association, and International Desalination and Reuse Association will also attend.
A Strategic Platform for Collective Action
SIWW is part of the strategic programme of the Singapore Government to grow the water industry and develop water technologies. The event also supports Go Green SG and Singapore’s Year of Climate Adaptation, reinforcing collective action towards sustainability and climate resilience.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, SIWW 2026 aims to foster collaboration and partnerships that will drive innovative solutions for a water-secure future.
