The 19th IWA International Conference on Sludge Management was held from 21 to 24 October 2025 in Kyoto, Japan, under the theme of “Toward Material Cycle and Low Carbon Society” with bringing together over 300 delegates from 40 countries around the world, including researchers, academicians, practitioners, and industry professionals.
The Conference served as a global platform for sharing innovations, best practices, and research advancements in sludge management, circular economy, and sustainable wastewater treatment through 6 pre-workshop presentations, 5 keynote speeches, 193 oral and poster presentations, and technical tour. A team of four from ITN-BUET represented Bangladesh in the Conference.
ITN-BUET presented two research papers under the Theme 7: Fecal Sludge Management highlighting innovation, end-use and sustainability around safe human excreta management.
Mr. Md Azizur Rahman, Research Officer (Technical/Research), ITN-BUET made a presentation on “Solid Waste & Faecal Sludge Recycled into Organic Fertilizer through Co-Composting in Rohingya Camps, Bangladesh”, while Mr. Subrata Paul, Former Training Specialist, ITN-BUET presented “Enhancing Faecal Sludge Stabilization through Optimized Anaerobic Inocula from Septic Tank Sludge”. The ITN-BUET team, including the co-authors of the papers, Prof. Dr. Rowshon Mamtaz, Director, ITN-BUET and Mr. Alauddin Ahmed, Project Manager, ITN-BUET, responded to the discussions and queries. The team also contributed to different sessions of the conference with their active engagement.
In the Closing Ceremony of the Conference, Mr. Md Azizur Rahman, Research Officer (Technical/Research), ITN-BUET was recognized with the Best Presentation Award, reflecting excellence in applied research of recycling of Solid Waste & Faecal Sludge and innovation of ITN-BUET in sludge management.
The technical tour in Wastewater Treatment Plant in Toba, Kyoto on 24th October 2025, delivered a hands-on exposure to Japan’s cutting-edge wastewater treatment, sludge treatment and resource recovery facilities. ITN-BUET team gained updated experience on the modern and cutting-edge technologies and processes on sludge management.
Participation and recognition in this prestigious international event serving as a catalyst for ITN-BUET’s commitment, collaboration and knowledge exchange and reinforcing its position as a leading institution in the sanitation and waste management sectors in the global platform.
