From Ideas to Impact

26-28 October 2026
Istanbul, Türkiye

Participating Organizations

Leading the Path
of Implementation.

Strengthening Co-Creation for
Our Common Future.

The WAITRO Summit 2026 brings together the global community of Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs), universities, industry, policymakers, and innovation partners to turn ambition into action. At a time when the world needs practical solutions more than ever, the Summit moves beyond dialogue and creates a platform for co-creation.

Through structured collaboration, strategic networking, and solution-focused workshops, participants will co-create partnerships, develop initiatives, and accelerate impact aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a special focus on Climate Action.

More than a conference, the WAITRO Summit 2026 is where ideas become projects, partnerships become pipelines, and innovation becomes impact.

What to Expect

Day 1

Exploring Pathways to Impact

Plenary sessions, expert perspectives and member-led sessions explore how research, innovation and international collaboration can address shared challenges, while creating opportunities to connect, exchange knowledge and identify pathways towards impact.

Day 2

Turning Ideas into Action

Interactive co-creation workshops bring participants together across regions and sectors to transform ideas into concrete solutions, partnerships and implementation pathways, while WAITRO members jointly shape priorities and actions for 2027–2028.

Day 3

Sustaining Impact Beyond the Summit

Workshop outcomes, project development approaches and forward-looking discussions on funding and partnerships connect the Summit to what comes next—strengthening commitment, enabling implementation and sustaining collaboration and impact beyond Istanbul.

Explore Full Program

Why Attend

Move from Ideas to Implementation

Work on initiatives with concrete outputs, not just concepts.

Build Strategic
Partnerships

Connect with leading RTOs, universities, governments, investors, and industry actors worldwide.

Gain Global
Visibility

Showcase your expertise, innovations, and solutions to an international audience.

Access New
Opportunities

Discover funding channels, markets, and collaboration pathways.

Shape the Future of Climate Innovation

Contribute to a COP31-oriented solutions portfolio and global sustainability agenda.

Register now for your new opportunities!

Register now

Featured Speakers

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal
Rector of the Istanbul Technical University, WAITRO President
Prof. Qing Liu
Director NICE (National Innovation Center par Excellence), President of JITRI (Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute) and SYDII (Shanghai Yangtze Delta Innovation Institute)
Prof. Benjin Luo
Secretary General of WAITRO, Chief Expert of Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI)
Kıvanç Zaimler
Board Member and CEO, Sabancı Holding
Amine Idriss Adoum
Director of Infrastructure, Industrialisation, Trade and Regional Integration, AUDA-NEPAD (African Union Development Agency)
Michael Brown
CEO & Founding Partner, Crowdhelix
Prof. Fazilet Vardar
Vice President of the Executive Committee, USIMP; Coordinator for Research Partnerships and Innovation, Izmir University of Economics
Prof. Ahu Altinkut Uncuoğlu
Vice President, Executive Board, USIMP; Professor of Bioengineering, Marmara University
Lupe Leal
Science and Technology Analyst, International Cooperation, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
Prof. Deniz Tunçalp
Professor of Management & Organizations, Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ)
Jean-Marc Champagne
Principal and Managing Director, Seneca Impact Advisors

View All Speakers

Summit Focus 2026: Climate Solutions Through Collaboration

Bringing together research organizations, industry, governments, and innovation partners, the Summit focuses on three key transformation areas supporting SDG 13 – Climate Action.

Climate Resilience & Water–Food–Energy Nexus

Scalable solutions for adaptation, water security, agriculture, and clean energy systems.

Decarbonizing Industry & Circular Economy

Low-carbon technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and resource-efficient innovation.

Climate-Responsive Societies & Just Transition

Inclusive climate implementation, green skills, health resilience, and community-centered innovation.

These areas form the strategic foundation of both the Co-Creation Workshops and the Climate Solutions Initiative, guiding how participants will showcase innovations, build partnerships, and develop implementation-ready solutions in the lead-up to COP31.

Co-Creation Workshops

Where ideas meet action. The Co-Creation Workshops are the interactive heart of the WAITRO Summit 2026, bringing together researchers and innovators to develop concrete, implementation-ready solutions. All workshops are structured around the Summit’s three transformation areas linked to SDG 13 – Climate Action and designed to foster cross-sector collaboration, pilot projects, and strategic partnerships that can advance beyond the Summit and contribute to momentum toward COP31.

Learn More

Be Part of the Global Movement

Join the Global Innovation Family committed to translating research and innovation into real-world impact. Registration will be open soon.

Register now

Become a partner

Climate Solutions Initiative

A flagship platform for global climate innovation. The Climate Solutions Initiative is a signature element of the WAITRO Summit 2026, showcasing high-impact solutions and promising ideas from WAITRO’s global network. The initiative is organized around the Summit’s three transformation areas related to SDG 13 – Climate Action.

Learn More

Key Elements

Poster Gallery

A professionally curated exhibition at the WAITRO Summit 2026 featuring shortlisted solutions through posters.

Awards

Recognition for the most outstanding submissions across categories and transformation areas.

Publication

A publication featuring selected solutions for global dissemination to policymakers, funders, investors, development agencies, and partners.

Become a Partner or Sponsor

Partnering with the WAITRO Summit 2026 offers visibility, access to decision-makers, networking with leading RTOs, and the opportunity to shape real-world solutions. Join us in co-creating a summit focused on collaboration, implementation, and measurable impact. Reach out to become a Partner or Sponsor.

Become a Partner

Become a Sponsor

We’re looking forward  to having you!

Have questions about the WAITRO Summit? Need help with registration or travel?
Our team is ready to assist you.

Event Location
İTÜ | Istanbul Technical University

Mail
summit@waitro.org

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From Ideas to Impact

26-28 October 2026 Istanbul, Türkiye

Participating Organizations

Leading the Path of Implementation.

Strengthening Co-Creation for Our Common Future.

What to Expect

Day 1

Exploring Pathways to Impact

Day 2

Turning Ideas into Action

Day 3

Sustaining Impact Beyond the Summit

Why Attend

Move from Ideas to Implementation

Build Strategic Partnerships

Gain Global Visibility

Access New Opportunities

Shape the Future of Climate Innovation

Register now for your new opportunities!

Featured Speakers

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal

Prof. Qing Liu

Prof. Benjin Luo

Kıvanç Zaimler

Amine Idriss Adoum

Michael Brown

Prof. Fazilet Vardar

Prof. Ahu Altinkut Uncuoğlu

Lupe Leal

Prof. Deniz Tunçalp

Jean-Marc Champagne