The Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa (AWSISA) has officially extended the abstract submission deadline for the 2nd AWSISA Africa & Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue 2026, giving researchers, policymakers, industry professionals, academics and innovators additional time to contribute to one of the continent’s leading water and sanitation knowledge-sharing events.

The new submission deadline is 20 July 2026.

Taking place from 23 – 26 November 2026 at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), the Dialogue will bring together delegates from across Africa and the Global South under the theme:

“Accelerating Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Solutions for Africa & the Global South.”

Advancing Climate Resilience Through Collaboration

The Dialogue comes at a significant time as 2026 has been declared the African Union Year of Water, placing water security and sustainable sanitation firmly at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.

Building on the success of its inaugural event, the 2026 Dialogue expands its focus beyond the African continent to include countries across Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The event aims to foster South-South collaboration, enabling regions facing similar challenges – including climate change, rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure and water scarcity—to exchange practical solutions and innovative approaches.

Participants will explore strategies that strengthen water governance, improve service delivery, enhance infrastructure resilience and accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Call for High-Quality Abstracts

AWSISA is inviting submissions that showcase innovative research, practical case studies, policy frameworks and technological advancements that contribute to resilient water and sanitation systems.

Abstracts are welcomed across a broad range of themes, including:

• Climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions
• Water security under climate stress
• Circular water economy and wastewater reuse
• Financing climate-resilient water systems
• Skills development and capacity building
• Governance and regulatory reform
• Smart utilities and digital transformation
• Public-private partnerships
• Digital communication and public engagement
• Governance excellence and institutional strengthening.

Submissions should present practical, scalable solutions capable of addressing the complex water challenges facing Africa and the wider Global South.

Student Support Programme

The Dialogue will once again provide opportunities for emerging professionals through a partnership between AWSISA and the Water Research Commission (WRC).

Ten South African students with accepted abstracts will receive financial support to attend the event. The support package includes:

• Full conference registration
• Domestic travel
• Accommodation
• Travel allowance.

Successful applicants will be selected based on the quality and relevance of their research, with preference given to submissions that demonstrate strong potential to advance sustainable water and sanitation solutions.

Recognition for Excellence

Outstanding contributions will be recognised through several awards, including:

• Best Paper Award
• Best Industry Paper Award
• Best Youth Paper
• Best Youth Presentation
• Best Female Paper Award
• Best Paper by a Person Living with Disabilities
• Best Innovative Writer Award.

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 July 2026
• Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 15 August 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15 September 2026
• Final Paper Submission: 30 October 2026
• Dialogue Dates: 23 – 26 November 2026

How to Submit

Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words and include up to five keywords.

Authors can access the submission resources below:

Download the Abstract Template: https://tinyurl.com/muc6uptr

Submit Your Abstract Online: https://forms.gle/2TJUeTjHjenH1tqC6

The extension provides an excellent opportunity for professionals working across academia, government, municipalities, consulting, utilities and the private sector to share their expertise and contribute to shaping climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions for Africa and the Global South.

With water security becoming one of the defining development challenges of the coming decades, the 2nd AWSISA Africa & Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue 2026 promises to be a vital platform for collaboration, innovation and action.