FSM Conference

The FSM Conference is the world’s only conference dedicated to faecal sludge management. The conference aims to share the latest knowledge, evidence, and case studies from around the world on faecal sludge management and non-sewered sanitation. The conference is held bi-annually and alternates between Asia and Africa.  The first FSM conference was initially a small seminar of about 150 people who met in March 2011 in Durban with the theme: What happens when the pit is full? This was the first event that brought together curious minds with a desire to tackle the sanitation problem in South Africa.  This seminar was such a success that they held a second meeting in October of 2012 with over 300 people attending. From there, the FSM conferences were born and have been held every 2 years, alternating between Asia and Africa. FSM3 was held in 2015 in Hanoi, followed by FSM4 in 2017 in Chennai and in 2019, FSM5 was co-convened with AfricaSan 5 and held in Cape Town.  FSM6 had been planned to be held in Jakarta but was moved online Handjob Ivy Rica chupaditaonline squirting newFree Bunda da Novinha de Shortinhoand held as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The FSM conference has always aimed to present the latest evidence, scientific research, community of practice, and case studies that focus on real-world implementation. In addition, the conference has focused on bringing together the various stakeholders working in FSM from academics, researchers, municipal employees, donors, government actors, service providers, and utilities. This FSM conference is one of the few places where professionals working in FSM can connect with their peers – a community that they can be a part of.  The conference also hosts activities such as the World Emptying Challenge – an activity to specifically recognise sanitation workers. As the clock counts down to 2030 and the SDG targets, one thing that has remained constant in the sanitation sector is the need for safe service provision at all levels. The city-wide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) framework shows a clear need to combine approaches – both sewered and non-sewered, in order to achieve inclusive sanitation service at scale. In communities with poor sanitation infrastructures, it is important to emphasize the critical role sanitation workers play as the direct implementers of CWIS.
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Please join us for the jointly hosted, 21st African Water Association (AfWA) International Congress & Exhibition and the 7th International Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) Conference (Abidjan 2023). The event will be held from the 19-23 February 2023 at the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.  

For the first time, the AfWA Congress and the FSM Conference will be co-hosted together, bringing together key areas in the sector into one momentous event. This event will join together water, utilities, government agencies, sanitation, and private companies to begin cross-sectoral discussion on city-wide inclusive sanitation, water management, and FSM.  

The theme of the event is: “Acting for the sustainable management of resources and access to water and sanitation for all“. More than 2,000 participants are expected from all continents, joined by more than 100 exhibitors on various technologies and management approaches within the water and sanitation sector. The first day of the event will feature the opening ceremony and symposium, followed by the scientific and technical program on day 2, 3, and 4. The Closing Ceremony is held on the fourth day of the event. More information can be found online at www.abidjan2023.com. 

The FSM Conference, hosted by FSMA, is the world’s only conference dedicated to faecal sludge management. The conference aims to share the latest knowledge, evidence, and case studies from around the world on faecal sludge management and non-sewered sanitation. The conference is held bi-annually and alternates between Asia and Africa. The previous edition, FSM6, was held virtually due to the global pandemic.  

 The African Water Association Congress is a scientific and technical forum coupled with a major international exhibition, which includes technical sessions, workshops, parallel events, “B-to-B” meetings, and “one -to-one”. Every two years, the African Water Association organizes an international congress, which brings together all of its members, international organizations, experts, political decision-makers, and development partners in order to take stock of the latest developments of the water, sanitation and environment sector in Africa.  

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Conference Directory

To learn more about past FSM conferences, see our FSM conference directory below.

FSM6 - Online, 2021

  • FSM6 was originally planned to be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic was held virtually. 
  • Conference materials can be viewed here or on our YouTube channel. 

FSM5 - Cape Town, South Africa, 2019

FSM4 - Chennai, India, 2017

FSM3 - Hanoi, Vietnam, 2015

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