The Forum brings together participants from all levels and areas, including politics, multilateral institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector. Over the years, the number of people participating in the Forum has grown from a few hundred to tens of thousands, from both the international community and host countries.
The World Water Forum is the largest international gathering in the water sector, co-hosted by the World Water Council and a host city. The Forum is held every three years and has been taking place since 1997. The World Water Forum is not just a conference: it includes a three-year preparation phase (preparatory phase), a one-week event (event phase), and a presentation of the results (synthesis phase) with ongoing support for collective action.