A 14-member delegation of Ukrainian water and sanitation utilities will take part in the 6th Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Congress in Bonn under the theme Solidarity in Action – Stronger Utilities for Thriving Cities. A special programme for the delegation has been organized by GWOPA together with the UNICEF Ukraine Country Office and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Utility Platform. 

On Monday, the Congress will feature a dedicated session, “Solidarity Operators’ Partnerships with Ukrainian Water Utilities,” highlighting how Water Operators’ Partnerships (WOPs) are helping Ukrainian utilities sustain and improve essential services amid war. Building on close cooperation, GWOPA and UNICEF Ukraine have recently launched three new WOPs in Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih with Aguas de Portugal and the Dutch WaterWorX consortium of ten utilities, which will be showcased during the session. 

Follow the session online.

On Tuesday, a training tailored for Ukrainian utilities, led by Aguas de Portugal and WaterWorX will explore energy efficiency and digital innovation, demonstrating how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can transform asset management and planning. The training event draws on WaterWorX’s extensive experience, having recently completed a €6-million project supporting five front-line utilities and launching a €17-million second phase to further advance energy efficiency, resilience and professional training through a new WASH Centre of Excellence in Lviv. 

The City of Bonn – whose utility BonnNetz partners with Khersonvodokanal – will host the Ukrainian delegation for a field visit to the Salierweg Wastewater Treatment Plant, focusing on the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure. 

The programme concludes with a peer-to-peer networking event hosted by GIZ’s Utility Platform, offering Ukrainian utilities and their European counterparts a space to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation for recovery and long-term development.

Register for online participation at the 6th Global Water Operators' Partnership Congress here.