The 9th India International Water Week (IIWW 2026) officially began on September 22, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the five-day global event runs until September 26 and centres on the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management.”
Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the event in the presence of Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Patil and Ministers of State Shri V. Somanna and Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary. Partner activities and exhibitions had already started a day earlier on September 21.
This edition marks the first time the long-running India Water Week has been rebranded as India International Water Week, reflecting its expanded global focus. Previous editions were held in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024.
Dates: Conference and exhibition – September 22–25; Study tours – September 26.
Venue: Convention Centre and Hall No. 14, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Expected Scale: Over 5,000 delegates from India and abroad.
Partner Countries: The Netherlands and Germany.
Partner States: 14 Indian states.
Partner Ministries/Departments: Six central ministries and departments.
The event brings together policymakers, global water leaders, researchers, practitioners, industry representatives, civil society, start-ups, youth and other stakeholders. It aims to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, innovation and partnerships to address emerging water challenges and advance a water-secure, climate-resilient future.
Major Forums and Sub-Themes
The programme features ten major forums, including:
Ministerial Plenary
Global Water Leaders’ Plenaries
Country Forums
Water Leaders’ Forums
Practitioners’ Forums
Thematic Forums
Startup Forum
Youth Forum
Industrial Forum
Side Events
Inclusive and equitable water governance
Collaboration for optimal use of water resources
Technology and community for water security
Water in climate-related risk
Innovative financing models for water infrastructure and modernisation
Sustainable water resources management
Water for people and planet
A four-day international exhibition (September 22–25) showcases innovative technologies, products and solutions for sustainable and climate-resilient water management. Parallel to the main conference, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is organising the Second International WASH Conference 2026 (September 22–24), focusing on drinking water access, sanitation infrastructure, hygiene behaviour and public health.
The deliberations will conclude with a valedictory session on September 25, followed by study tours on September 26.
India faces significant water stress—supporting 18% of the world’s population with only about 4% of global freshwater resources—while climate change intensifies challenges such as erratic rainfall, floods, droughts and groundwater depletion. IIWW 2026 seeks to move beyond dialogue toward actionable recommendations, scalable solutions and stronger international and inter-state cooperation.