From 8–12 December 2025, the global water community gathered in Bangkok for the IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition—one of the sector’s most influential meeting points for ideas, innovation, and practical solutions. This year, the Danube Region was not just present. It was visible, active, and proudly represented. And that’s thanks to the continued partnership between IAWD and NewIBNET.

A Delegation with a Purpose

 NewIBNET with the support of IAWD brought a delegation of 2025 Data Pioneers to Bangkok—professionals who are pushing the boundaries of data use in utility management. Their journey was not just a trip, but a moment to bring their achievements to a global audience.

To make the experience meaningful, NewIBNET and IAWD designed a rich program that combined learning, celebration, and exchange. The Data Pioneer Certificate Ceremony recognized the commitment of utilities worldwide that are improving performance through smarter data practices. A dedicated international workshop then gave these pioneers the stage to present their real-world successes—stories of transparency, efficiency, and better service outcomes powered by better data.

Where Data Meets Digital Transformation

One highlight of the workshop was a special collaboration with the World Bank’s Digitalization Team, who brought insights on digital maturity in water utilities. The dialogue helped participants place their own data journeys in a global context, exploring how digital tools and better information enable utilities to work smarter, respond faster, and plan more confidently.

The Danube region on the Global Map

Representing our region among the Data Pioneers was IAWD member Sofia Water, with Elena Ivanova, Data Strategy Expert, actively engaging in the Congress. Elena’s participation underscored the strong role Danube utilities play in advancing data-driven management. She connected with peers, exchanged experiences, and proudly shared Sofia Water’s impressive progress in using data for better operations and decision-making.

IAWD’s leadership was also present in Bangkok with Association Development Manager Elisabeta Poci in her capacity as IWA Board Member and Vice President Teodor Popa, serving on both the IAWD and IWA Board.

Their presence reinforced that the Danube Region is deeply woven into the international water community—not just as participants, but as contributors and leaders.

We were also pleased to see additional regional voices at the Congress: a delegation of utilities from Kosovo, and our Research & Academia Member, the Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control at BOKU Wien, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the discussions.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger, More Flexible Partnership

As we move forward, the collaboration between IAWD and NewIBNET enters a new and more regionally anchored phase. IAWD will continue supporting the World Bank’s Benchmarking Network while strengthening engagement and participation among Danube region utilities. The goal remains clear: to help our members grow, innovate, and thrive through better benchmarking, better data, and better collaboration.

With Bangkok as a milestone, the journey continues, driven by our region’s shared ambition to improve water services.