The new edition will connect research, innovation and practical solutions from around the world with the priorities identified by cities and river basin authorities, closely linking the initiative to the Road to Bari 2027.

 Overview 

The International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) is preparing the second edition of its Global Water Innovation Report, inviting national water associations worldwide to contribute their knowledge, research and experience to address some of the most pressing challenges facing cities and river basins.

Building on the first edition published in 2025, the new report will focus on connecting national innovation priorities with the practical needs identified by cities and river basin authorities, helping to bring scientific knowledge, emerging technologies and proven solutions closer to those responsible for water management.

The new edition is closely connected to the Road to Bari 2027, the international process leading to the 42nd IAHR World Congress in Bari, Italy, from 28 June to 2 July 2027. Both initiatives address shared water challenges, connecting scientific knowledge and innovation with the needs of cities and river basin authorities.

 From innovation priorities to practical solutions 

The first IAHR Global Water Innovation Report, launched at the 41st IAHR World Congress in Singapore in June 2025, brought together perspectives from national water associations in nine countries, representing over 200,000 water professionals. It identified shared priorities for water innovation, including climate-resilient infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring, forecasting and modelling systems.

The second edition will take this work a step further, drawing on contributions from national associations to identify relevant research, emerging developments and established solutions that can help cities and river basin authorities address real-world challenges. The new consultation builds on ten questions identified by cities and river basin authorities across five areas:

• Digital Water and Decision Intelligence: Water information systems, artificial intelligence, digital twins and advanced analytics for better decision-making.

• Climate Adaptation, Mitigation and Extreme Events: Managing climate uncertainty and strengthening urban resilience through structural and non-structural measures.

• Water Reuse and Circular Cities: Expanding safe and economically viable water reuse and developing circular urban water systems.

• Ageing Infrastructure and Asset Management: Improving infrastructure maintenance, renewal, financing and long-term management.

• Basins and Cities: Strengthening coordination between cities and river basin authorities and reconciling competing water demands.

These areas are directly relevant to the Road to Bari Framework, which seeks to strengthen exchanges between scientific and engineering communities, public authorities and solution providers to advance responses to water challenges. National water associations are invited to identify relevant contributions from their countries across three levels of maturity:

• Research: Scientific questions and approaches currently under investigation.

• Development: Emerging technologies, methods, prototypes and pilot projects undergoing testing.

• Deployment: Proven solutions and approaches that cities and river basin authorities could adopt or scale up.

This approach will help distinguish between future research needs, innovations under development and solutions already available for implementation. Contributions will be compiled by IAHR and shared with participating cities and river basin authorities, with attribution to the contributing associations, as part of the Road to Bari dialogue.

 An open invitation to national water associations 

IAHR invites national water associations from all countries to contribute to the second Global Water Innovation Report. Associations are encouraged to identify and rank their five highest-priority questions at each level of maturity, providing brief descriptions and references to relevant research, projects, tools or solutions from their countries. The consultation also offers an opportunity to identify cities, utilities and river basin authorities interested in contributing to the Road to Bari dialogue, as well as additional challenges that deserve international attention.

The deadline for contributions is 15 December 2026.

National associations interested in participating can request the consultation document and further information by contacting Elsa Incio (IAHR Office Manager) at elsa.incio@iahr.org

  Join the IAHR Platform for National Water Associations

Beyond contributing to the report, IAHR also welcomes national water associations interested in joining its Platform for National Water Associations, an international initiative designed to strengthen cooperation, knowledge exchange and collective action across the water sector. The Platform provides opportunities for national associations to connect with their peers, share expertise and innovations, increase their international visibility and contribute to addressing common water challenges. By connecting national expertise with international initiatives such as the Global Water Innovation Report and the Road to Bari 2027, IAHR seeks to strengthen cooperation between national water communities and the wider international research, engineering and water management sectors. Associations may express interest in contributing to the report, joining the Platform, or both.  

  Interested in contributing or joining the Platform?

Contact Elsa Incio at elsa.incio@iahr.org

  Further Information 

Road to Bari 2027 Framework
IAHR Platform for National Water Associations
2025 IAHR Global Water Innovation Report