Newsletter 1 - 2025

Wetsus will host the IWA Resource Recovery Conference in Leeuwarden from May 19th to May 23rd, 2025. This prestigious international event, co-organized with the IWA Resource Recovery Cluster, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and Delft University of Technology (TUDelft), offers a unique opportunity to celebrate 15 years of innovation in a sector where the Netherlands has long been at the forefront. Now it is time to transform these concepts to business examples. Resource recovery is a very inspiring topic but it has not been an easy journey and many lessons have been learned in both upscaling novel technologies and developing new markets.

The conference aims to be a meeting point between academia and industry to ensure that research and industry can learn and inspire each other, thus working towards scaled-up and impactful solutions. The future water leaders, the Young Water Professionals, are also intended to be put in the spotlight, and the link with policymakers is aimed to be strengthened to ensure that the potential of resource recovery is stimulated rather than hindered by legal frameworks.

The conference will begin on Monday, May 19th with five dynamic workshops, exploring a diverse range of topics including art, fundamental research, and business development, all centred around resource recovery. Following the workshops, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Leeuwarden through a variety of engaging tours, and network during the welcome cocktail reception at the Wetsus building. The subsequent three days, held at the Harmonie Theatre, will focus on the central question: How can resource recovery from waste become a reality? Each day will open with an inspiring plenary session featuring renowned keynote speakers and panel discussions.

• Tuesday, May 20th will focus on the future of resource recovery.
• Wednesday, May 21st will delve into the latest research developments in academia.
• Thursday, May 22nd will highlight industry perspectives on the practical implementation of resource recovery.

Throughout these days, parallel sessions will feature expert talks from international speakers, carefully selected from a pool of 275 submitted abstracts by our Scientific Committee comprised of 62 experts.

The conference will conclude with four technical tours, offering participants the chance to visit some of the Netherlands’ most innovative industrial sites where state-of-the-art resource recovery technologies are being implemented. For those seeking an additional adventure, a sailing weekend to the stunning Wadden Islands will be available, providing a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.wetsus.nl/iwa-rr-2025/.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with experts and shape the future of resource recovery!

ECCA2025 will provide a dynamic forum for presenting the latest research, innovative solutions, and best practices in climate adaptation. The event will facilitate collaboration among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders, fostering discussions on policy advancements, practical implementation, and strategies for building a climate-resilient society.

The 13th EWRA World Congress on Water Resources and Environment will take place in Palermo, Italy, from June 24-28, 2025, organized by the HYCLIC Lab of the University of Palermo.

This international event will focus on new challenges in understanding and managing water-related risks in a changing environment. It will bring together scientists, engineers, and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research and innovative strategies for sustainable water resource management.

The Congress will serve as a global platform for collaboration, addressing key topics such as climate change adaptation, water sustainability, resilience, hydrological variability, and emerging water-related hazards. Discussions will explore solutions to strengthen countries’ capacity to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges.

The 7th KCD Symposium will bring together practitioners, academics, and policymakers to explore evolving approaches to knowledge and capacity strengthening in the water sector. As climate change, digitalization, and shifting governance models reshape water and sanitation systems, new competencies are needed to address emerging challenges.

This symposium will focus on rethinking capacity-building efforts, emphasizing context-specific solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches. With a growing recognition of South-South partnerships, the event will highlight knowledge-sharing initiatives that strengthen local expertise and promote sustainable development.

Key discussions will include trends in capacity strengthening, intergenerational learning, and collaborative strategies for empowering the next generation of water professionals. The symposium will also contribute to shaping an agenda for knowledge and capacity development in the water sector for the years ahead.

The XIX IWRA World Water Congress will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from December 1 to 5, 2025, co-organized by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) and the Ministry of Equipment and Water of Morocco. This global event will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to address the evolving complexities of water governance, security, and sustainability in a rapidly changing world.

With the theme “Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation,” the Congress will explore integrated solutions to water challenges across sectors, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and cross-disciplinary approaches. Discussions will align with key international agendas, including the United Nations 2026 Water Conference, the World Water Forum 2027, and upcoming COPs on climate and biodiversity.

The event will highlight Morocco’s expertise in water management in arid regions, desalination, and unconventional water resources. It will also produce critical outputs such as a Congress Declaration, knowledge reports, and long-term partnerships to drive actionable solutions beyond the event.

By bridging science, policy, and practice, the Congress will contribute to shaping the future of global water sustainability.