IDWS Conference

Diana Vrigovicova, Founder & CEO of Xatoms, shared her incredible experience at #IDWS. From connecting with global water experts to learning about Saudi Arabia's thriving startup ecosystem, the conference proved invaluable for her team. She highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to solving water scarcity, funding early-stage companies, and fostering innovation, making it a critical hub for advancing water sustainability. Pre-register today to join us in December - bit.ly/4cBLt9O #IDWS26

Prof. Vera Eiro, CEO and Chair of ERSAR, shared her remarkable experience at #IDWS, expressing admiration for the event's scale, the quality of speakers, and the impactful topics being discussed. As a first-time visitor to Saudi Arabia, she emphasised the importance of the conference in fostering meaningful dialogue and hopes that the panels and discussions contribute to the growth of the water sector in the Kingdom. Pre-register today to join us in December - bit.ly/46qqsuO #IDWS26

'Innovation is no longer optional in water — it’s now the core driver of financial growth' - Tom Ferguson (Managing Partner, Burnt Island Ventures). Weeks after IDWS, Tom’s message continues to echo across the global water community. His insight captured a defining shift highlighted throughout the event: innovation is not just enabling resilience, it is reshaping the economics of the entire sector. From breakthrough technologies to new investment pathways, the conversations in Jeddah made it clear that financial growth and water sustainability are now deeply interconnected. Tom’s perspective reflects the momentum that IDWS helped accelerate, as leaders and investors look toward scalable solutions that deliver both impact and economic value. #IDWS2025

'Today, an estimated 2.3 billion people around the world still lack access to safe and reliable water supply, while 3.6 billion do not have access to safely managed sanitation services. It is further estimated that addressing this crisis and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 will require an investment of approximately 6.7 trillion US dollars by 2030' - Gustavo Saltiel, Water & Sanitation Expert Gustavo’s message remains one of the most powerful reminders of the scale of the global water challenge. Over three days in Jeddah for IDWS, leaders, innovators and policymakers explored breakthrough technologies, new financing models and collaborative strategies, but his words underline the urgency behind them. The path to achieving SDG 6 demands unprecedented investment, partnerships and resolve. IDWS brought together the community capable of driving that progress, and Gustavo’s insight reinforces why this work cannot slow down. #IDWS2025

'With quantum chemistry, we can reduce the time we need to spend in the lab, and instead do this computationally and then discover materials faster' - Diana Virgovicova, Founder & CEO, Xatoms At IDWS, Diana showcased how quantum technologies are reshaping the pace of scientific discovery in the water sector. Her insight highlighted a powerful shift: by moving experimentation into the computational realm, innovators can accelerate material development, reduce costs and unlock solutions that once took years to identify. Her message reflects a broader theme from the event, the future of water innovation will be driven by the convergence of deep tech, advanced modelling and scientific ambition. #IDWS2025

At IDWS 2025, the Global Prize for Innovation and Water celebrated the brightest minds transforming the water sector in the Kingdowm. We were proud to recognise the winners whose innovative solutions are driving efficiency, sustainability, and positive impact around the world. Their achievements inspire the future of smart water management and demonstrate the power of innovation in tackling global water challenges. #IDWS2025

'Privatisation was a fundamental decision to take water service delivery off the public financial books, allowing the government to avoid making direct financial contributions' - Prof. Trevor Bishop, Managing Director, H2Outcomes Ltd Reflecting on IDWS, Prof. Bishop’s insight offered an important lens on the evolution of water governance. His perspective sparked meaningful conversations in Jeddah about how different financial models, public, private and hybrid, shape the long-term sustainability and resilience of water systems. As the event concluded, his message remained a valuable reminder: understanding the motivations behind past policy decisions is critical for designing future frameworks that balance financial viability, public accountability and service reliability. #IDWS2025 #WaterGovernance #Policy #Privatization #H2Outcomes #WaterInnovation

'Only 5% of Earth's water is usable and accessible fresh water' - Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin (United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, United Nations). Dr. Mohieldin’s reminder resonates more strongly than ever. Across three days of discussion, innovation and global collaboration in Jeddah for IDWS, this simple but powerful fact underscored every conversation: our most essential resource is also one of the scarcest. His message highlighted why accelerating investment, policy reform and technological breakthroughs is not optional, it is imperative. IDWS brought together the community capable of driving that change, and his words reinforce the urgency and shared responsibility we carry forward. #IDWS2025 #WaterSecurity #UN #Sustainability #GlobalWaterCrisis #InnovationForImpact

Your weekly reminder that SWA holds a Guiness World Record. #IDWS2025

IDWS 2025 through a lense. #IDWS2025

Throwing it back to the incredible networking moments at IDWS 2025. From sharing ideas to building new collaborations, the energy and innovation, were truly inspiring. #IDWS2025

"We often talk about infrastructure in terms of pipes, plants, and equipment - but the most critical infrastructure in any utility is our people. Our people are the foundation of success" – David Gadis, CEO & GM, DC Water David opened IDWS with a powerful reminder that the future of water sustainability depends on the talent, expertise and collaboration of our global community. As thousands of leaders, innovators and policymakers gather in Jeddah, his message set the tone for an event built on shared purpose and collective action. Across three days at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, IDWS showcased breakthrough technologies, national strategies and global best practice – but above all, it highlighted the people driving progress. From utility leaders to engineers, researchers, startups and government partners, this community is what makes innovation possible. #IDWSC2025

Thank you for being part of IDWS 2025.

Over three days in Jeddah, the global water community came together to connect, exchange ideas, and spotlight solutions shaping the future of water.

With 6,200+ attendees, 107 exhibiting brands, 54 investors, 23 startups, and 192 speakers, this edition reflected the power of collaboration across the water ecosystem.

We’re grateful to everyone who made IDWS 2025 possible.
See you in 2026.
#IDWS2025

Congratulations to all Miyahthon winners. Your ideas reflect the kind of thinking the future of water needs; bold, practical, and grounded in real impact. We can’t wait to see where your work goes next.

A reminder that real progress starts when we stop working in silos. Jon Freedman & Dr. Newsha Ajami called for water reuse policies to move hand in hand with energy policy and for systems to be managed as one connected landscape. #IDWS2025

Julien Katchinoff highlighted how Saudi Arabia’s Water Investment Plan and Vision 2030 reflect the leadership the world needs today. He pointed to the power of connecting innovators, investors, and policymakers to turn water challenges into opportunities for global prosperity. #IDWS2025

'The next 10% to 20% and potentially even 25% of progress will come from the small things, digital twins, smarter layouts and optimizations that turn every plant into an intelligent system' - Kunal Shah (Senior Vice President - Global Asset Outsourcing, @AquatechIntl). Live from Day 3 at @Idwscom, Kunal emphasised how incremental improvements are becoming the next major frontier in water innovation. His insight reflects a powerful theme emerging across the event: intelligence isn’t created by one breakthrough, but by thousands of small, precise enhancements that elevate performance across entire facilities. As discussions continue onsite, his message captures where the sector is headed, towards plants that learn, adapt and optimise in real time.

Congratulations to all Miyahthon winners. Your ideas reflect the kind of thinking the future of water needs; bold, practical, and grounded in real impact. We can’t wait to see where your work goes next.

'There are examples where data centers are now providing their own energy. There are examples of using renewable energy to do that' - Jon Freedman (President / Global Head, Policy & Stakeholder, International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) / Veralto). On Day 3 of @Idwscom, Jon highlighted how rapidly the digital infrastructure landscape is evolving. His message underscored a critical trend: as demand for data and computing accelerates, leading data centers are beginning to generate their own power, increasingly through renewable energy. His insight ties directly into the conversations happening across IDWS today, where the intersection of water, energy and digital systems is emerging as one of the biggest opportunities for sustainable transformation.

A closing call to action. The Global Outlook Council aims to take real steps toward shared water security and to scale innovations where they are needed most. A reminder that the journey to protect tomorrow begins with the commitments we make today. #IDWS2025