Events
15th Hanseatic India Colloquium
Indo German Dialogue: Circular Wastewater Management
for Sustainable Development
Monday, June 29, 2026, 10:00h - 17:30h
Entry and Registration from 9:30h
BZ-Business Center
Ludwig Erhard Str. 18, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
4th floor, Room "Telemann"
Preamble
The safe disposal of wastewater and the recovery of clean water continue to pose major challenges for local authorities in countries such as India. It is widely recognized that India faces increasing water scarcity: freshwater resources are limited, and less than half of the country's wastewater is currently treated. Against this backdrop, recovering water from wastewater is not an option but an essential part of any sustainable response to the water crisis.
We are convinced that Indian stakeholders in the wastewater sector are ready to engage in constructive dialogue with German experts. Our assessment, supported by numerous studies and publications, shows that the sector is primarily
constrained by two key challenges:
1. A shortage of qualified technicians and well-trained managers
2. Limited adoption of modern wastewater technologies
To address these gaps, we have launched a project funded by GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) that aims to strengthen capacity building in the Indian wastewater sector. By the end of the project, we expect to have trained more than 200 technicians and managers, drawing on the expertise and experience of German specialists.
The conference
Under the patronage of the Hanseatic India Forum e.V. and our valued Indian partner, the Centre for Environment and Development (CED) in Thiruvananthapuram, we are pleased to announce an international conference in Hamburg. The event will serve as a dynamic platform bringing together leading scientists, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry representatives from India and Germany.
The conference will focus on promoting innovative and sustainable solutions for wastewater management through the exchange of ideas, best practices, and the latest research findings. An important goal is to promote the transfer of proven German wastewater technologies and expertise to India and to support sustainable urban development and environmentally conscious urban planning through interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approaches.
Participants will benefit from mutual learning, high-level discussions, and the joint development of forward-looking recommendations for modernizing existing systems and introducing new technologies. Selected contributions will be
included in the conference proceedings, including guest contributions from renowned experts from both countries.
We cordially invite all interested professionals and researchers to participate in this inspiring dialogue. Experts who would like to contribute to the conference proceedings are requested to submit a paper title by June 12, an abstract (maximum 150 words) by June 19, and the full manuscript by June 30, 2026. For detailed manuscript guidelines, please contact the organizers.
Registration
Participation is free of charge. However, prior registration is required for entry to the conference room. Registration closes on June 26, 2026.
Contact
Hanseatic India Forum e.V.
Dr. Amal Mukhopadhyay
Baumschulenweg 26
22609 Hamburg
Tel.: +49 40 41161360 / 33442180
Fax: +49 40 41161361
Mobile: +49 163 3243 522
Email:
Website: www.hif-hamburg.de
of the 15th Hanseatic India Colloquium:
Indo German Dialogue: Circular Wastewater Management for Sustainable Development
ABSTRACTS
Dr. Babu Ambat and Dr. T.A. Jayanthi
Executive Director & Sr Scientist, Centre for Environment and Development, India
Ansuman Das
Secretary & Director, Sabuj Sangha, India
Rituparna Majumdar
Lecturer, Baltic Environmental Forum e.V., Germany
Rethinking wastewater: nature-based pathways to circularity
Dr. Jesper Munkholm
CEO / Co-Founder, instrAction Gmbh / Water Impact Partners
How decentralized new water innovations can mitigate clean water challenges in India
Dr. Manabendra Nath Roy
President, SIGMA Foundation, India
Rural greywater recycling for multi-dimensional benefits and resource recovery
ABSTRACTS FOR PROCEEDINGS
G.L. Sudhakar
Akhsheya Group of Companies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Beyond technology: System conditions for successful circular wastewater management
Dr. S. K. Sankar
Vice President, Drinkprime, India
Partners on the Organization
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