ISWA President James Law, International Resource Panel Co-Chair Janez Potočnik and physicist and author Helen Czerski will headline the ISWA World Congress 2026, taking place at London's QEII Centre from 9-11 November.
Hosted by CIWM, the Congress will bring more than 1,000 resource and waste professionals from over 50 countries to Westminster for three days of knowledge sharing, collaboration and practical solutions. RWM Expo are proud to be supporting CIWM and ISWA as a partner for 2026.
Beyond waste: a global call to action
Hosted by CIWM in partnership with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the Congress showcases global best practice in resource and waste management. Its focus is the critical role effective waste systems play in protecting public health, the environment and economies – and how circular economy principles and stronger international collaboration can help move the world beyond waste.
The 2026 programme is built around five key themes:
- Human rights – every individual should be free from the harmful effects of waste
- Political commitment – driving continuous improvement in waste services and recognising their importance to society
- Waste planning – designing and delivering viable solutions for national and local contexts
- The economics of waste and resource management – the investment needed to unlock wider socio-economic benefits
- Circular economy – prioritising the transition to more circular economies by 2050
The keynote line-up
- James Law – President of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
- Janez Potočnik – Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel
- Helen Czerski – physicist, oceanographer, broadcaster and author of Blue Machine
Guiding proceedings as Congress host is Mark Shayler, author, media presenter and sustainable business advisor. Together, the speakers will tackle three of the sector's biggest questions: the practical realities of resource management, the link between resources and climate, and how to build long-term resilience while protecting natural ecosystems.
Why attend
With global waste generation still rising, the Congress is a rare chance to hear international expertise first-hand, pick up practical approaches that work at scale, and build the cross-border connections that drive real change. It's the conversation that will shape how the world moves beyond waste – and it's happening in London.
ISWA World Congress 2026 · 9–11 November · QEII Centre, Westminster, London
