WaterAid Bangladesh at IWA World Water Congress 2024

WaterAid Bangladesh made a significant impact at the IWA World Water Congress 2024 in Toronto, showcasing its leadership in inclusive sanitation and water access innovations. The congress, held from August 11-15, 2024, brought together global water professionals, where WaterAid Bangladesh took centre stage with key presentations and the launch of a groundbreaking publication.

A major highlight of the congress was the launch of WaterAid Bangladesh's latest publication, Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) Action Plan (CAP) at the Municipality Level. The book, co-developed with the CWIS-FSM Support Cell of the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and ITN-BUET, serves as a vital tool for advancing inclusive sanitation practices at the municipal level. The launch took place on August 15, 2024, during a dedicated session on Bangladesh's progress in inclusive sanitation, hosted by Mr Md Tahmidul Islam, Head of Technical Services at WaterAid Bangladesh.

In addition to the book launch, WaterAid Bangladesh made a strong visual impact with four poster presentations which were developed by our colleagues Mr Md Zarif Oeishik and Mr Md Yeasin Arafat.  The posters highlighted innovative solutions for water access, risk management in sanitation, CWIS progress, and the impact of a pro-poor piped water supply system in Bangladesh. These are as follows:  

• Easing Access to Safe Water with Nature-Based Solutions in Hard-to-Reach Areas of Bangladesh.
• Risk Management through Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) in Sakhipur Municipality
• Unlocking the Gaps and Progress of CWIS: Learnings from Five Cities in Bangladesh
• Pro-Poor Municipality-Led Piped Water Supply System: Transforming Lives in Bangladesh

The congress also provided valuable insights and learning opportunities. Key takeaways included the growing importance of mentorship for the next generation of water professionals, the increasing participation of women leaders in the water sector, and the potential formation of a new Specialist Group focused on Indigenous water issues. Discussions also explored the intersections of water, nature-based solutions, and financing instruments.

As WaterAid Bangladesh looks forward to the next IWA World Water Congress in Glasgow in 2026, the organisation remains committed to advancing inclusive sanitation and sustainable water solutions, both in Bangladesh and on the global stage.