500+ Global Water And Climate Leaders Converging On Reykjavík This October For IDRA Summit On Water And Climate Change: Adaptation And Mitigation

• 500+ leaders from over 40 countries, including ministers, CEOs, policymakers, scientists, developers, finance agencies, venture capitalists, innovators, and sustainability professionals, will gather in Reykjavík from October 12–14, 2025. 

• The Agenda spans thematic and technical tracks tackling water scarcity, renewable energy integration, circular economy, breakthrough desalination and reuse technologies, and project models. 

• Pre-summit highlights include the ENOWA NEOM Brine Valorization Workshop and the IDRA NextWave Start-up Competition. 

 
Reykjavík, Iceland – The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) will bring together ministers, CEOs, policymakers, scientists, developers, finance agencies, venture capitalists, sustainability professionals, and innovators from across the globe in Reykjavík from October 12–14, 2025, for the IDRA Reykjavík Summit on Water and Climate Change.  

At a moment when climate-driven droughts, extreme weather events, and growing demand are putting unprecedented strain on global water resources, infrastructure, municipalities, industries, and agriculture, the Summit will unite leaders shaping desalination and reuse solutions for decades to come. 

Held under the patronage of the Minister of the Environment, Energy, and Climate for the Government of Iceland, and in conjunction with the Arctic Circle Assembly, the event offers a unique cross-sector platform linking global water and climate expertise with Arctic policy, energy transition, and resilience dialogues. 

“The Reykjavík Summit comes at a moment when the world can no longer afford incremental change,” said Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA. “Communities are facing unprecedented water stress, industries are rethinking how they operate, and governments are under pressure to deliver lasting solutions. This gathering will bring together the leaders, technologies, and financing needed to move from ambition to action, adapting to and mitigating water scarcity. Registration is still open, and we look forward to welcoming the global water, climate, and energy communities to Reykjavík to scale solutions that will secure our water future for generations to come.” 

High-level speakers already confirmed include Hon. Jóhann Páll Johannsson, Iceland’s Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Climate for H.E. Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Minister for; and H.E. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, President of the Saudi Water Authority. They will be joined by leaders from the UAE, Taiwan, Singapore, USA, Morocco, Algeria, Brazil, Jordan, China, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, UK, Japan, S. Korea, Chile, Mexico, and South Africa. 

The Summit opens on Sunday, October 12, with pre-summit events designed to spark collaboration and innovation: the ENOWA NEOM Brine Valorization Workshop, exploring how desalination byproducts can be transformed into valuable resources for a circular, low-carbon economy; and the IDRA Young Leaders Program NextWave Start-up Competition, showcasing three promising early-stage innovators in desalination, water reuse, energy, and integrated resource management. A welcome reception will set the tone for three days of high-level networking. 

On October 13 and 14, an ambitious plenary agenda will run alongside a two-track technical program. The thematic track will examine how nations and regions are tackling water scarcity, scaling water reuse, integrating renewable energy into water systems, and accelerating the circular water economy, while also addressing the urgent need for new policy, investment, and governance models. 

Thematic Program Highlights 

• Global and regional strategies for water resilience, including case studies from the USA, MENA, Europe, Iceland, and elsewhere. 

• Scaling water reuse from 8% to 80%, advancing stewardship, and embedding circular principles into industry. 

• Integrating renewable energy and water strategies, with lessons from Iceland and insights into hydrogen, solar, wind, and wave energy production. 

• Addressing the environmental footprint of AI and data centers and advancing global desalination capacity. 

• Real-world case studies where collective action has transformed climate adaptation and resilience at the community and watershed levels. 

• Unlocking transformative solutions through policy, investment, and governance. 

The technical track will provide a deep dive into state-of-the-art desalination and water reuse technologies, from proven best practices to breakthrough innovations in research and development, with case study examples. Sessions will explore how industries, municipalities, and agricultural sectors can optimize water use while balancing  environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and will examine the role of water stewardship and decarbonization in achieving climate goals. 

Technical Program Highlights 

• Tackling water security with proven desalination and reuse technologies, best practices, and case studies. 

• Driving innovation in desalination and reuse through emerging technologies, research, and development. 

• Mobilizing policy and finance to enable solutions to water scarcity. 

• Optimizing sustainable water management across industry, agriculture, and municipal sectors. 

• Advancing the circular water economy with integrated stewardship and decarbonization strategies. 

The highly specialized industry summit is expected to attract over 500 participants from more than 40 countries, including ministers, corporate executives, scientists, financiers, and development leaders, representing sectors that collectively influence billions of dollars in global water and climate infrastructure investment. 

Attendees will benefit from unparalleled networking opportunities, daily networking lunches, and coffee breaks designed to foster meaningful connections. Signature social events, such as the IDRA Awards Ceremony and the Glacial Dinner set against Reykjavík’s dramatic backdrop, will offer memorable moments to forge relationships and partnerships. 

Registration Still Open 
Places are limited, and early booking is strongly encouraged. For more information and to secure your place, visit waterandclimatechange.org.