The 79th Annual Assembly of the International Institute of Welding Held in Austria

From 12 to 17 July 2026, the 79th Annual Assembly of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) took place in Salzburg, Austria.

The IIW Annual Assembly is one of the most significant international events in the field of welding and joining technologies, bringing together leading experts, scientists, industry representatives, research institutions, and national welding associations from around the world.

The 2026 event attracted approximately 1,000 participants from 51 countries, providing an important platform for international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and discussions on the latest developments in welding science and technology.

The Assembly addressed a wide range of topics, including advances in welding technologies, international standardization, professional education and training, qualification of welding personnel, and the further development of international certification systems.

Particular attention was given to strengthening international cooperation, sharing scientific and technical expertise, and introducing innovative solutions to the welding industry. The programme also included an international conference on metal additive manufacturing and a symposium on the application of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.

One of the creative initiatives associated with the Assembly was the IIW 2026 Digital Collection Welded Art Photographic Exhibition, “Shaping the Future”, which brought together more than 50 artists from 15 countries. Four exhibits from Kazakhstan were featured in the official collection with the support of the Kazakhstan Welding Association (KazWeld).

The 79th IIW Annual Assembly provided valuable opportunities to strengthen international professional relationships, exchange best practices, and identify future directions for the development of the global welding industry.

Official event website: IIW 2026 – Salzburg