INVITATION

On behalf of the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) Board and Local Organising Committee, I warmly invite you to the 2026 ANCOLD Conference in Nipaluna Hobart, Lutruwita Tasmania, between 26-28 October.

The conference will be held at the iconic Hotel Grand Chancellor on the Nipaluna Hobart waterfront, overlooking Constitution Dock. The conference theme is “Resilient Dams, Smart Futures”. This theme is intended to challenge participants to reflect on dams engineering and management from an holistic perspective, not just traditional engineering. Increasingly, dam and tailings storage facility ownership must adapt and evolve to blend traditional engineering and risk management, with meaningful approaches on sustainability and climate change, and understand the impacts and opportunities of new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

We expect over 500 delegates from around Australia and internationally, spanning all dams related industries, including irrigation and urban water, hydropower, mining, regulatory and consulting. Subject matter expert Keynote speakers are being sought on topics such as AI impacts on the engineering profession and infrastructure ownership, and there will be a full day workshop followed by two days of technical sessions providing opportunities to share your experiences and to learn from each other and industry specialists. The conference will be supported by a unique social program and conference tours to some of Lutruwita Tasmania’s most spectacular dams, ensuring it is the dam industry’s premier event of 2026.

Chris Topham
2026 ANCOLD Conference Convenor

View the website of the event

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COP31 will take place from 9 to 20 November 2026 at the Antalya EXPO Center in Türkiye.

The conference will bring together Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, observer States, international organisations and civil society. It will include the formal negotiations, the World Climate Action Summit, national pavilions and a wide range of side events.

The outgoing COP30 Presidency and incoming COP31 Presidency are working together to support an open, transparent and inclusive preparatory process.

Dates : 9–20 November 2026
Location : Antalya EXPO Center, Antalya, Türkiye

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Environmental Sustainability of Dams & Reservoirs

ICOLD WEBINAR #4
November 25, 2026
1pm - 3pm (CET)
Free event

In 2023, the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) launched the Dams and Sustainability (D&S) initiative, which brings together the efforts of several technical committees. The main objective of the D&S initiative is to raise awareness among dam professionals about the need to improve the sustainability and life cycle thinking of existing and new dams. It also seeks to investigate appropriate tools and methodologies for assessing the social, economic and environmental sustainability of dams and reservoirs.

To date, the ICOLD D&S group has organised three Webinars. The first, which took place in May 2024, presented the main sustainability goals and objectives of this new ICOLD initiative. The second Webinar, held in May 2025, introduced Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) methods. The third Webinar focused on climate change and the estimation of GHG emissions. Full videos of all three webinars are available here.

This Webinar #4 will focus on the environmental aspects of the sustainability of dams and reservoirs beyond GHG emissions. This webinar will explore the interaction between dams and reservoirs and river ecosystems, and its impact on biodiversity. Topics covered will include water quality, sediment management and environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of these infrastructures. Finally, it will present design and operational strategies aimed at minimising ecological disruption and enhancing sustainability. ICOLD has invited a distinguished group of speakers to present this important topic.

Register for the webinar on Zoom

View the flyer

Program

• Introduction
  Devendra Sharma (President of ICOLD)
• Webinar presentation
  Francisco Ortega (ICOLD TC-DS)
• ICOLD and the environmental aspects of the sustainability of dams and reservoirs
  Peter Amos & Tracey Williamson (ICOLD TC-G)
• Improving outcomes: dams and freshwater ecosystems
  Jian-hua Meng (WWF)
• Biodiversity footprint tools for hydropower and dams
  Leah Beche (ICOLD TC-G)
• World Bank’s approach to biodiversity
  Nicholas Zmijewski (World Bank)
• Downstream flow and sustainability of dams and river systems – Indicators & tools
  Liza Bensasson (ICOLD TC-U)
• Recovery of river connectivity and restoration of sediment transport environment
  Tetsuya Sumi (ICOLD TC-J)
• Use of biodiversity offsets to improve sustainability outcomes
  Kogi Naidoo & Joseph Mülders (ICOLD TC-G)
• Assessment of water quality throughout the operational life cycle of dams and reservoirs
  Patrick Rouquet (ISL)
• Q&A Session
  Moderation by Steve Usher (HP&D)

Technical support from the Spanish National Committee on Large Dams

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The 2026 United Nations Water Conference will take place from 8 to 10 December 2026 at the ADNEC Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and Senegal, it aims to accelerate implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The conference will focus on practical outcomes, including knowledge sharing, partnerships, investment, political commitments and technical solutions.

Dates : 8–10 December 2026
Location : ADNEC Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

View the official website

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The 11th World Water Forum will take place from 21 to 25 March 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Co-organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the World Water Council, the Forum will bring together governments, international organisations, local authorities, academia, civil society, youth and the private sector.

Under the theme “Action for a Better Tomorrow”, its political, thematic and regional processes will seek to turn commitments into practical solutions to global water challenges.

Dates : 21–25 March 2027
Location : Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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The 2027 World Hydropower Congress will take place from 6 to 8 April 2027 in Sydney, Australia.

Organised by the International Hydropower Association, the flagship gathering will bring together leaders from government, finance, industry and civil society to advance policy and solutions for sustainable hydropower and the transition to net zero.

The Sydney edition will highlight Australian innovation, pumped storage and the transformation of the energy system.

Dates : 6–8 April 2027
Location : Sydney, Australia

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The 2nd MENA Dams Conference will take place on 7–8 April 2027 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The regional event will bring together government ministries, water and power utilities, dam owners and operators, contractors, engineering consultants, research institutions and technology providers.

Discussions will cover dams and reservoirs, water security, flood management, hydropower, pumped storage, dam safety, smart monitoring and climate resilience.

Dates : 7–8 April 2027
Location : Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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The 95th Annual Meeting of ICOLD will be held May 21–28, 2027, at the Daejeon Convention Center in the Republic of Korea. The week will bring together national committees, technical committees, young professionals, and international experts in dams, levees, hydraulic structures, and water infrastructure.

The international symposium will focus on the theme “Water, Energy, and Society: The Evolving Role of Dams in a Changing World.” The program will also include technical sessions, site visits, and professional activities.

Dates : Du 21 au 28 mai 2027
Location: Daejeon Convention Center, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Visit the official website

Initial Bulletin

Programme:

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The 42nd IAHR World Congress will take place from 28 June to 2 July 2027 in Bari, Italy.

Under the theme “Drive the Change: Management in the Era of Digital Water & Transitions”, it will bring together researchers, practitioners, engineers, policymakers and students to address major challenges in hydro-environment engineering.

The programme will cover climate-change adaptation, resilience to water-related hazards, the energy transition, food security, nature and digital transformation. The main scientific sessions will be held at The Nicolaus Hotel, with the opening ceremony at Teatro Petruzzelli.

Dates : 28 June–2 July 2027
Location : Bari, Italy

View the official website

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