Pacific Water Leaders Gather in Tahiti for PWWC26
Pacific water leaders gather in Tahiti for PWWC26, focusing on water security, sanitation, climate resilience and regional cooperation across 21 Pacific countries and territories.
8/30/20263 min read
PAPEETE, French Polynesia - 30 August 2026: Water leaders, government representatives and utility professionals from across the Pacific are gathering in Papeete this week for the 17th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo, and the 10th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum, opening Monday, 31 August.
French Polynesia is hosting the regional conference for the first time, with delegates from across 21 Pacific countries and territories coming together under the theme “Vai Ora - Living Water.”
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the opening, French Polynesia’s Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and the Environment, Hon. Taivini Teai, highlighted the importance of viewing water not only as a basic service, but as a critical natural resource underpinning communities, livelihoods and economic development.
This year’s theme reflects the interconnected nature of Pacific water systems - from freshwater sources and aquifers through to lagoons, reefs and the ocean - and the need to protect these resources as part of wider environmental and climate resilience efforts.
The Minister also highlighted the alignment between the conference and French Polynesia’s CAP 2030 water policy, including universal access to quality water, integrated water-resource management and strengthening the resilience of island and atoll communities.
PWWA Chief Executive Officer Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau said hosting the conference in French Polynesia had helped expand the regional conversation around water.
“It has been a real pleasure for us to be able to secure French Polynesia as the host for a number of reasons but what is most exciting is that they have chosen to take the conversation around water to another level,” she said. “PWWA was originally established as a membership association for water and wastewater utilities, but this year’s theme takes a much broader perspective - from source to reef.”
She said the conference was an opportunity to look beyond the delivery of water through utility networks and consider the wider environmental impacts of how water is sourced, managed and ultimately returned to the environment.
“As an association, we are not only concerned about the water that comes into your home through our utilities. We are also concerned about the wider environmental impacts and the importance of managing water responsibly from source to reef.”
The urgency of the discussion is underlined by continuing gaps in access to essential water and sanitation services across the region.
“About 53 per cent of the Pacific population has access to safe water, while only about 34 per cent has access to sanitation. Compared with other regions of the world, those figures are simply not good enough,” Pitolau said. “That is one of the main reasons why advocacy for water and sanitation in the Pacific is so important. We need to continue pushing for universal access.”
PWWC26 is being held alongside the 10th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum, the region’s highest-level political forum for the sector. The Forum will take place on 31 August and 1 September at the Presidency of French Polynesia, chaired by Minister Teai and co-organised with the Pacific Community.
The conference has attracted 264 registered participants and 30 exhibitors with delegates taking part in technical sessions, industry discussions and knowledge-sharing throughout the week.
A strong focus will also be placed on preparing the next generation of Pacific water professionals.
“We have our Young Water Professionals Programme, which began in 2017 and has become a very important programme for us,” Pitolau said. “Participants undertake a 10-week hybrid programme, which culminates in sessions here at the conference. We will also have young water professionals presenting during the Ministerial Forum, and we are really looking forward to hearing from them.”
Polynésienne des Eaux Director Matthieu Desetres acknowledged the local teams who worked behind the scenes to support French Polynesia’s hosting of PWWC26. He also spoke about the value of the conference for those in the regional water sector to exchange good practices, explore new innovations and strengthen partnerships with counterparts across the Pacific.
“Beyond providing organizational support, our teams will be actively involved throughout the week, participating in around ten sessions—including panel discussions and Friday’s site visits" said Mr Desetres. "Around twenty staff members will attend the conferences to share their own experiences, learn from their Pacific counterparts, and continue their professional development. Even though our islands and countries are far apart, our realities are very similar, and sharing is the best way to move forward. ”
PWWC26 runs from 31 August to 4 September 2026, bringing together political leaders, utilities, technical experts and industry partners to strengthen water security, sanitation and climate resilience across the Pacific.
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