The IDA World Congress 2019, hosted by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will take place in Dubai, UAE, at the World Trade Centre from October 20 through 24. The theme is ‘Crossroads to Sustainability’ – how we evolve the role of desalination and how it works with new technologies to ensure sustainability of water resources. This theme is pivotal to the varied discussions already taking place surrounding the growing demand for a sustainable source of fresh water in response to population growth, economic expansion, degradation of existing resources, energy-water-food nexus, and the effects of climate change.