ISLANDS WATER CONGRESS

About The Islands Water Congress

What is the Islands Water Congress?

The Islands Water Congress is a high-level international forum convened by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) in partnership with host island institutions. Held every two years, the Congress brings together island policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and community leaders to address freshwater challenges and opportunities unique to island contexts.

The first edition of the Congress took place in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, from 4 to 6 September 2024, in collaboration with the Faroese Geological Survey. The second edition takes place in Jamaica from 9 to 11 December 2026, in partnership with the Water Resources Authority of Jamaica (WRA).

By rotating across island regions, the Islands Water Congress builds a growing body of shared learning grounded in island realities. This evolving knowledge base supports the development of context-specific freshwater solutions while also generating insights and good practices that can be applied to non-island settings, ensuring that island perspectives meaningfully inform global water policy and practice.

Why is it important?

Islands are at the frontline of freshwater stress. Climate change, limited resources, and fragile ecosystems are intensifying pressures that demand tailored, island-specific responses. Additionally, while all islands share a common “islandness,” each island is shaped by distinct geographical, socio-economic, and governance realities that influence how freshwater is sourced, managed, and protected. As a result, island water challenges are often inappropriately tackled by frameworks developed for continental settings.
At the global level, water challenges are increasingly addressed through frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other international processes. Yet the specific freshwater concerns of islands remain underrepresented in these discussions.
Against this backdrop, the Islands Water Congress provides a dedicated, recurring forum to elevate island perspectives, enabling the exchange of island-led knowledge, strengthening context-specific solutions, and ensuring that island freshwater realities meaningfully inform global water policy and practice.

2nd Islands Water Congress Sub-Themes

1

Technology and Innovations for Water Resources Monitoring and Management in Islands (Flow and Recharge of Surface Water and Groundwater)

Explores advanced tools and innovative approaches for monitoring and managing surface water and groundwater systems on islands. Examines data-driven decision-making, real-time monitoring technologies, and improved assessment of flow and recharge to strengthen water security and resource planning.

2

Water Quality, Pollution Control & Freshwater Ecosystems

Addresses the protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems through effective pollution control, watershed management, and regulatory enforcement. Highlights strategies that safeguard drinking water sources and maintain ecological integrity in vulnerable island environments.

3

Sustainable Water Financing Models

Examines financing mechanisms that support resilient and equitable water services, including tariffs, blended finance, public–private partnerships, and climate finance. Promotes financially sustainable systems that balance affordability, investment needs, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

4

Advancing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Strategies

Focuses on practical and technological solutions that reduce water losses from leakage, theft, and metering inaccuracies. Encourages performance-based management, asset maintenance, and digital tools that improve operational efficiency and service reliability.

5

Community Engagement & Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Water Use

Highlights participatory approaches that strengthen water stewardship at the community level. Explores policy frameworks, behavioural change strategies, and inclusive governance models that promote responsible and sustainable water use.

6

The Water–Energy–Food–Tourism Nexus

Examines the interconnections between water resources and key economic sectors that shape island development. Promotes integrated planning approaches that optimise resource efficiency, reduce trade-offs, and enhance resilience across water-dependent systems.

7

Climate Resilience & Water Security

Addresses strategies that strengthen water systems against climate variability, extreme weather events, and long-term hydrological change. Emphasises risk-informed planning, resilient infrastructure, and adaptive management to safeguard water security.

8

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Adaptive Water Governance in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Explores coordinated planning and governance approaches that align water allocation, ecosystem protection, and socio-economic development. Highlights adaptive governance models suited to the unique vulnerabilities and capacities of Small Island Developing States.

9

Circular Water Management, Wastewater and Resource Recovery

Promotes circular economy principles that transform wastewater into a valuable resource. Examines reuse, recycling, and resource recovery practices that enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impacts, and strengthen water resilience on islands.

Join an extraordinary gathering that brings together participants to address water security issues within an island context!

Find Out More About The Islands Water Congress

Click Here To Download Brochure

Click Here To Download Brochure

Click Here To Download Brochure

Have questions or need assistance?
Contact us at islands.congress@iwra.org

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