Value of Water – the Conference parallel to ISH 2025

UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 stands for clean water and sanitation for all. The ‘Value of Water’ conference on 17 and 18 March 2025 will take up this goal and address the most important topics relating to global water management, hygiene and sanitation. As an independent forum within the framework of ISH – the world's leading trade fair for HVAC and water – and with Handelsblatt Media Group as a trusted partner curating the conference program, this conference promises to bring together the brightest minds to tackle the global water crisis.

The ‘Value of Water’ conference offers a global platform to present and discuss proven strategies, innovations and best practices in water management, sanitation and hygiene related to buildings and infrastructure. Through thoughtful dialogue and collaborative engagement, the conference seeks to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable and equitable water solutions worldwide. The vision of the expert meeting point is to elevate water sustainability as a critical agenda item within the HVAC, water and building industry, empowering businesses to recognize their unique opportunities to drive meaningful impact through collaboration and innovation.

The world's leading trade fair, which takes place every two years, recorded a high level of internationality in 2023. 72 per cent of international exhibitors took part and 44 per cent of visitors travelled to Frankfurt from abroad. Trade visitors include experts from the sanitation, heating and air conditioning sectors, as well as players from the property and housing industry. Scientists, researchers, decision-makers, municipal representatives and international delegations are also part of the target group. In addition, the event offers important impulses for building owners and operators, urban planners, architects and project developers from development organisations, NGOs and institutions.

Programme for progress: SDG#6

The programme of the ‘Value of Water’ conference offers a varied mix of keynotes, impulses, panel talks and international best practice presentations from different countries and initiatives. The breakout sessions in particular invite in-depth dialogue and offer space for new collaborations. Interested parties are cordially invited to actively help shape the programme and submit their ideas via the Call for Papers. The aim is to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG#6).

First speakers from the programme:

• Henk Ovink, Executive Director, Global Commission on the Economics of Water
• Doulaye Kone, Interim Director on the WASH Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Erin McCusker, Senior Vice President and Leader of SATO and LIXIL Public Partners, LIXIL
• Dinesh Mehta, Professor Emeritus, Center head, Center for Water and Sanitation CWAS
• Volker Meyer, Chairman, European Drinking Water Initiative (EDW) / General Manager, figawa
• Matthias Schäpers, Manager Initiatives and Climate Positive Cities, DGNB  
• Carolin Stüdemann, Managing Director, Viva con Agua de Sankt Pauli
• David Viola, CEO for IAPMO / Chair, World Plumbing Council

All information and tickets for the ‘Value of Water’ conference at:
https://ish-value-of-water.com

ISH – World’s leading trade fair for HVAC + Water
ISH 2025 will be held from 17 to 21 March 2025.