Innovation in water and sanitation is not only about new technologies. It is also about stronger institutions, better management, empowered staff and partnerships that help utilities turn ideas into practical improvements.
At IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany, the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance of UN-Habitat, together with German operators Stadtentwässerung Dresden and Hamburg Wasser, will convene an in-person session on “Innovation and Water Operators’ Partnerships as Engines of Transformation for Utilities”.
The session will explore how Water Operators’ Partnerships support utilities in translating innovation into local impact – from digital readiness and asset management to climate action, sanitation and access to finance. It will highlight how solidarity-based partnerships can help utilities strengthen their foundations, embrace innovation and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Event details
Date: 6 May 2026
Time: 12:30–14:00 CEST
Venue: IFAT DWA Exhibition Space, B2 Hall, Munich, Germany
Speakers include:
Patrick Nzamba, Kahama Shinyanga Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, Tanzania
Magige Marwa, Kahama Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, Tanzania
Christoph Weith, Stadtentwässerungsbetriebe Köln, Germany
Volodymyr Bilynskyy, Lvivvodokanal, Ukraine
Willy Leonhardt, Stadtentwässerung Dresden / Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, Germany
Phil McLean, Western Cape – Stellenbosch Water Operators’ Partnership, South Africa
Dieter Rothenberger, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Germany
The session will be moderated by Emrah Engindeniz, Programme Management Officer, Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance of UN-Habitat, and Kristin Michalek-Götz, Water Operators’ Partnership Programme Coordinator, Stadtentwässerung Dresden, Germany.