Registration has opened for the 8th International Congress "Desalination Latin America 2026," scheduled for June 17-18, 2026, in Santiago, Chile. The event, organized by Vostock Capital, will bring together industry leaders as Latin America experiences significant growth in desalination investment and project development.
More than $20 billion has been committed to desalination projects across Latin America, reflecting accelerating deployment throughout the region. Chile represents the core of this regional investment, with over $18 billion committed, largely driven by copper mining demand. The country currently operates 11 desalination plants with a combined capacity of 6,472 liters per second, primarily serving industrial users.
Water demand from Chile's copper mining sector has increased significantly, while seawater now represents more than 30% of total mining water use. This transformation in water sourcing demonstrates how industrial needs are driving technological adoption and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Mining from Chile provides official support for the upcoming congress, highlighting the government's recognition of desalination's importance to the national economy.
Globally, more than 17,000 desalination plants produce around 107 million cubic meters per day, supplying water to over 300 million people. Latin America's rapid growth in this sector positions it as an increasingly important player in the global water solutions market. The region has more than 25 desalination projects under development, led by Chile and Peru, with Peru actively promoting six new seawater desalination plants to expand access to drinking water.
The congress website at https://www.desalinationlatinamerica.com provides registration details and event information. Industry professionals can access the latest news and updates relating to Vostock Capital through the company's newsroom at https://tinyurl.com/vostocknewsroom. The event's bronze sponsors include LG Chem, Soltex, Mining Company Curacao – MMC, and International Valve, representing key players in the desalination supply chain.
This concentrated investment and project development signal a structural shift in how Latin American countries approach water security, particularly in water-scarce regions and industries with high water demands. The expansion of desalination capacity has implications for industrial competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and public water access throughout the region. As climate change intensifies water scarcity challenges, the growth of Latin America's desalination sector provides a model for how regions can adapt their water infrastructure to meet evolving needs.
