IWA and CIWEM form global alliance to tackle water challenges

The International Water Association – IWA – and Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management – CIWEM – have signed an official collaboration bringing together more than 20,000 members across 139 countries to work together to resolve global water challenges.

The signing took place at the World Water Congress in Tokyo.

The partnership spans across both organisations’ activities and services, including membership, events, publications, training and policy.

The global venture will bring a number of increased benefits to members of both organisations, as well as a growth in the number of international development opportunities. Together they have a presence in over 70% of the world’s countries.

Announcing the collaboration, IWA and CIWEM said the partnership would work together to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The organisations said that in order to meet this, the world needs more water professionals.

Members of both organisations will be able to work towards CIWEM’s unique Water and Environmental Management Chartership (C.WEM) and professional registrations in engineering, science and environment.

Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, Executive Director of the International Water Association commented:

“We are happy to announce cooperation and partnership at the 2018 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. Partnership and cooperation is critical for successful water management.

“Water professionals of all shapes and shades are needed to provide solutions to the water problems the world is facing. With the IWA membership dedicated to work with the full water cycle, and engaged to pioneering technologies, to research and implementation, we strongly believe that being partners is strongly supporting our sector.”

Terry Fuller, CIWEM chief executive said:

“This collaboration expands the breadth and depth of our global community of individuals and organisational partners. It creates unrivalled opportunities for the professional growth our members by learning from, and contributing to, innovation in the water and environmental sectors. Our business and academic partners will also benefit from increased exposure of their organisations to those that they most wish to form a relationship with.”

Dual membership will become available for all members from later on in the year. Further information will be provided on the CIWEM and IWA websites.