About The Conference
The Global South Conference on WASH Financing & Sustainability 2026 will take place from April 1–3, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal, under the theme “Financing the Future for Innovation, Climate Resiliency, and Equity.” This landmark event responds to a pressing global challenge: a $140 billion annual gap in financing for safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Countries across the Global South face the steepest hurdles, with significant shortfalls in funding and underutilized budgets threatening long-term sustainability and equity.
Organized by SOPHEN and Water Forum Nepal (WAFON) in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Supply (MoWS) and DWSSM, the conference will bring together 200–300 participants from over 15 countries. Attendees will include government officials, development partners, investors, academics, NGOs, and youth leaders—all working to design innovative, climate-resilient financing pathways for WASH systems. The event will feature match-making opportunities, policy dialogues, and practical roadmaps for scaling up large WASH projects.
Key themes will explore government leadership, financing bottlenecks, climate-resilient innovation, blended investments, and cross-sector collaboration. The conference aims to generate actionable solutions, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote sustainable investment practices. By the end of the event, participants will have developed investment-ready projects, forged new partnerships, and shaped policy recommendations to drive lasting impact.
This is more than a conference—it’s a call to action. Join us in Kathmandu to help build a future where every community in the Global South has access to safe, sustainable WASH services. Stay tuned for registration details and follow SOPHEN for updates. Let’s finance the future, together.
“For more information, please visit www.gswashfinance.org or click here to access the GS WASH Financing and Sustainability Conference website.”