The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) will host the 21st edition of the IDRA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse (IDRA 2026) in Riyadh this November, marking the first time the event is being held in the kingdom. 

It is being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and in cooperation with the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA), under the theme “Leading Global Water Sustainability Through Innovation.”

The event will bring together water sector leaders and experts from 100 countries, including 400 experts and specialists and more than 2,200 participants, to discuss solutions and challenges related to global water security.

To be held from November 1 to 5 at the InterContinental Riyadh, the event will see experts explore the technical and financing solutions needed to improve the efficiency of water systems, expand water reuse, reduce emissions, and enhance the sector’s resilience in addressing water scarcity and growing demand.

The scientific program will feature 25 sessions, more than 200 technical presentations, and over 240 peer-reviewed scientific and technical papers, delivered across four concurrent tracks over four days, said the organisers. 

As part of the congress, SWA in strategic partnership with the International Desalination and Reuse Association, will be leading the Water Regulation Forum . 

The event will serve as an international platform bringing together regulators, decision-makers, and sector leaders to exchange expertise and advance water policies and regulatory frameworks, supporting the efficiency and reliability of water services.

SWA said hosting the congress in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership and advanced global position in the water sector, as well as its extensive expertise in desalination, water reuse, and water resources management. 

It also reflects the kingdom’s efforts to innovate and develop more efficient and sustainable technologies.

The program will address 58 subtopics across six key areas, including research and innovation, the circular water economy and climate adaptation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, water reuse regulation, and project implementation, said the organisers.

The Congress will also feature three specialized forums, a dedicated exhibition, workshops, the second edition of the Global Water Desalination Hackathon, and the IDRA Awards Ceremony, they added.