The World Cement Association (WCA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference from 19–21 April 2026 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference is under the theme Shaping a sustainable future through digitisation, innovation and performance and will bring together leaders, policymakers, technology providers and stakeholders. The two-day meeting will examine the strategic, operational and sustainability challenges shaping the sector's next phase of transformation.

The programme will open with a comprehensive assessment of the global economic environment and its impact on cement markets, with regional outlooks for Asia and Europe. Discussions will review regulatory developments including carbon border adjustment mechanisms in Europe and progress in China’s carbon trading system, while considering market dynamics across Thailand and South East Asia. Experts will outline practical decarbonisation pathways to safeguard competitiveness, including alternative fuels, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), calcined clay and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled kiln optimisation.

The second day will address industry overcapacity and restructuring, with case studies and regional perspectives intended to provide delegates with practical insights into unlocking performance while accelerating decarbonisation. Sessions will explore digital maturity and AI driven plant operations, manufacturing optimisation, sustainable building solutions and circular concrete models. Attention will be given to evolving customer requirements across the construction value chain and to examples of partnerships that promote resource efficiency and lower embodied carbon.

The event will include the WCA Awards Ceremony at the Awards Gala Dinner on 20 April, recognising excellence in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership. Registration is open and tickets include admission to the two-day event, sessions, refreshments and lunch, the exhibition and the Gala Dinner. Philippe Richart, chief executive of the WCA, said the sector is navigating profound transformation, facing overcapacity and market volatility while adopting AI and pursuing measurable decarbonisation. Further information on the programme is available on the WCA Annual Conference 2026 event page and questions on sponsorship and exhibition can be directed to the events team by email.