World Cement Association Annual Conference To Convene Industry Leaders

02 Mar 2026 CW Team

The programme will open with an assessment of the global economic environment and its impact on cement markets, with regional outlooks for Asia and Europe. Delegates will consider regulatory developments such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms in Europe and progress in China's carbon trading system, alongside market dynamics in Thailand and South East Asia. Industry specialists will outline decarbonisation pathways to safeguard competitiveness, including alternative fuels, next-generation supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and AI-enabled kiln optimisation.

The second day will address capacity imbalances and industry restructuring, with regional case studies designed to provide actionable 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, as well as evolving customer requirements across the construction value chain. The programme will also include the WCA Awards Ceremony at the Awards Gala Dinner on 20 April, which will recognise excellence in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership across the global cement sector.

Registration is now open and tickets include admission to the two-day event, all sessions, refreshments and lunch, exhibition entry and the Awards Gala Dinner. Further information is available via the WCA Annual Conference 2026 event page and the World Cement Association can be contacted for sponsorship and exhibition enquiries. Philippe Richart, chief executive officer, said the conference aims to foster collaboration and practical solutions for a sustainable sector.

The World Cement Association will host its 2026 Annual Conference from 19–21 April 2026 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme Shaping a sustainable future through digitisation, innovation and performance. The conference will convene global cement industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers and other stakeholders to examine the strategic, operational and sustainability challenges that will shape the sector's next phase of transformation. Organisers expect discussions to balance high level outlooks with practical case studies and technical sessions designed for industry practitioners. The programme will open with an assessment of the global economic environment and its impact on cement markets, with regional outlooks for Asia and Europe. Delegates will consider regulatory developments such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms in Europe and progress in China's carbon trading system, alongside market dynamics in Thailand and South East Asia. Industry specialists will outline decarbonisation pathways to safeguard competitiveness, including alternative fuels, next-generation supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and AI-enabled kiln optimisation. The second day will address capacity imbalances and industry restructuring, with regional case studies designed to provide actionable 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, as well as evolving customer requirements across the construction value chain. The programme will also include the WCA Awards Ceremony at the Awards Gala Dinner on 20 April, which will recognise excellence in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership across the global cement sector. Registration is now open and tickets include admission to the two-day event, all sessions, refreshments and lunch, exhibition entry and the Awards Gala Dinner. Further information is available via the WCA Annual Conference 2026 event page and the World Cement Association can be contacted for sponsorship and exhibition enquiries. Philippe Richart, chief executive officer, said the conference aims to foster collaboration and practical solutions for a sustainable sector.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..