Jeddah will host the fifth Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2026) from 14 to 16 December, gathering the global water innovation community to move solutions out of the lab and into real-world use. Linking innovators with investors and end users, the event aims to support water security, more efficient services and sustainable resources.

Experts, researchers, innovators, investors and water-sector representatives from more than 140 countries will take part, alongside over 250 speakers. Attendance is expected to top 10,000, and an accompanying exhibition will host more than 150 global brands.

Eng. Tariq Al-Ghaffari, Deputy President for Research and Promising Water Technologies at the Saudi Water Authority, described the conference as "a global platform that brings together the water innovation ecosystem and connects research and promising technologies with financing and operational needs." He put the global market for water security and water infrastructure management at about $303.8 billion, with upcoming construction and engineering projects for water and sanitation facilities exceeding $1.2 trillion.

Studies estimate that meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and sanitation will require an extra $131 billion to $140 billion a year. The WHO and UNICEF report that 1.8 billion people still live in households without water on the premises, while the FAO says agriculture accounts for about 72% of global freshwater withdrawals.

Topics include treated water reuse, the circular economy, artificial intelligence and data analytics in planning and operations, and the role of policy, governance and finance in speeding up adoption of new technologies. The program also features "MiyahThon," startup showcases and the fourth Global Prize for Innovation in Water.