The International Conference and Exhibition Desalination Latin America will convene in Santiago, Chile on June 17-18, 2026, marking its eighth edition as a pivotal gathering for addressing water scarcity through desalination across Latin America. The event serves as a strategic hub for industry leaders, government officials, and financial institutions to develop solutions, attract investment, and foster partnerships for sustainable water management.
This conference's importance stems from Latin America's growing reliance on desalination to secure water supplies for critical sectors, particularly mining and urban populations in arid coastal regions. With over 300 delegates expected, including C-level executives from leading utilities like Aguas de Antofagasta and Esval, alongside major mining corporations such as Codelco and Anglo American, the event facilitates dialogue between public and private stakeholders essential for large-scale infrastructure development. Government participation from entities like Chile's Ministry of Mining and General Directorate of Water underscores the policy dimension of these water security initiatives.
The agenda highlights several high-impact investment projects that demonstrate the region's commitment to scaling desalination infrastructure. These include Chile's Northern Chile Water Supply Corridor, which aims to integrate multi-user desalination pipelines, and Peru's Coastal Desalination PPPs targeting Lima and southern industrial clusters. A significant focus will be on Chile's Renewable-Powered Desalination Projects, featuring solar- and wind-integrated seawater reverse osmosis plants that address both water scarcity and energy sustainability. Additionally, Regional Brine Valorization and Circular Economy Initiatives seek to transform waste byproducts into valuable resources like lithium and salt, enhancing environmental and economic outcomes.
Financial backing from institutions such as CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and BID Invest is crucial for mobilizing the capital required for these projects, with upcoming 2026–2027 bidding rounds in Chile and Peru expected to launch new public-private partnerships and multi-client desalination hubs. The involvement of technology providers and sponsors like Schneider Electric, Dupont, and Andritz points to the role of innovation in improving desalination efficiency and reducing costs.
Beyond the main conference, two exclusive technical site visits in Spain offer professionals advanced insights into operational best practices. The visits to the AcuaMed Desalination Plant in Murcia and the ATL Desalination Plant in Llobregat provide hands-on learning opportunities, with registration available through https://desalbusinessvisit2026.com/registration-request-media and https://desalvisitbcn.com/registration-request-media. These complementary events underscore the global knowledge exchange driving Latin America's desalination advancements.
The implications of this conference extend beyond immediate project announcements, as it shapes long-term water security strategies for a region facing climate-induced droughts and growing industrial demands. By integrating renewable energy, circular economy principles, and cross-border collaboration, the initiatives discussed could set benchmarks for sustainable desalination worldwide, impacting communities, industries, and environmental resilience across Latin America.
