French Polynesia Confirmed as Host of the 2026 Pacific Water and Wastewater Association Conference

French Polynesia was selected to host the 2026 Annual Conference of the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA), marking a significant milestone for the territory and the wider Pacific water sector.

The official announcement was made on Tuesday 7th October 2025 by Taivini Teai, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources, and the Environment, during a dedicated press conference. The selection provides a major opportunity for French Polynesia to both showcase its expertise in water management and strengthen regional knowledge exchange with Pacific neighbours.

Each year, the PWWA Annual Conference serves as a key regional platform, bringing together governments, water utilities, young water professionals, donors, and industry representatives to share experiences, strengthen technical cooperation, and advance the resilience of Pacific Island communities in addressing water and sanitation challenges.

A first for French Polynesia

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Taivini Teai described the hosting of the PWWA Conference as a first for French Polynesia and a source of national pride.

“This is a first for French Polynesia to host this delegation, which will be composed of approximately 200 people. It is a source of pride because we have techniques to showcase, such as osmosis and SWAC (Seawater Air Conditioning). But it will also be about learning from others, since they too have knowledge to share.”

The Minister emphasised that the conference will provide an important opportunity for French Polynesia to better understand the challenges faced by other Pacific Island countries, as well as the solutions and measures they have implemented, particularly in the context of climate change and water security.

He noted that countries such as New Zealand and Australia have developed highly advanced water technologies, offering valuable learning opportunities for the region.

“We will also be discussing the standardization of equipment and standards, because if we want to order this equipment later, the goal is to be able to group together to access more advantageous markets.”

Programme highlights for PWWA 2026

While the exact dates of the 2026 Conference have not yet been finalised, French Polynesia has already outlined the key components of the event.

These include:

• A Pacific Water Ministers’ Forum, bringing together political leaders to discuss regional water and sanitation priorities

• Technical conferences and high-level sessions focused on water, sanitation, and climate change adaptation

• A regional exhibition showcasing innovative water management solutions and equipment

• Field visits highlighting local water infrastructure and technologies

• A dedicated focus on training and supporting future leaders in the Pacific water and wastewater sector

The 2026 Conference will build on the strong legacy of previous PWWA gatherings, reinforcing regional cooperation and advancing shared solutions for sustainable and resilient water and sanitation services across the Pacific.