Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2026 opened on 16 Jun 2026, bringing together 25,000 participants, 700 global leaders, and 500 exhibiting companies to address growing water security and climate resilience challenges.
In his opening address, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said greater investment, innovation, and international cooperation are needed to strengthen water resilience amid increasing climate uncertainty.
A key announcement was an initial S$12m under Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE2030) programme to support R&D of industrial water solutions for wafer fabrication and data centres — two of the country’s most water-intensive industries. The funding complements an existing S$85 million commitment for municipal water research, including water treatment, desalination, emerging contaminants, and sustainable operations.
Climate adaptation and coastal resilience feature prominently at this year’s event. SIWW2026 expands its focus on flood management and coastal protection, with government and city leaders convening to share strategies for adapting to sea-level rise and extreme weather risks. Singapore is expected to unveil its new Coastal Protection Code of Practice during the Coastal and Flood Resilience Leaders Summit on 17 Jun 2026.
The event also serves as a major commercial platform for the global water sector. The Water Expo spans 23,000m2 and features exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, with the largest Singapore pavilion to date of 88 exhibitors, and is expected to attract 25% more trade visitors than the previous edition. More than 50 product launches, 26 project announcements, and eight MOU and contract signings are expected throughout the week.
The opening also saw Prof Joan Bray Rose receive the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2026 for her pioneering contributions to quantitative microbial risk assessment, a framework that has shaped global approaches to drinking water and water reuse safety.