The World Bank Group has launched Water Forward, a global initiative aimed at improving water security for 1 billion people by 2030. Developed in collaboration with multilateral development banks, development finance institutions, and key partners, the platform seeks to align policy reforms, financing, and partnerships to expand reliable water services and strengthen resilience against droughts and floods.
Water plays a critical role in sustaining health, food systems, energy, and approximately 1.7 billion jobs worldwide, yet nearly 4 billion people continue to face water scarcity. Progress in many regions has been hindered by weak regulations, unclear policies, and financially unsustainable utilities. Water Forward aims to address these gaps by supporting developing countries in building stronger and more efficient water systems that can drive productivity, support livelihoods, and attract private investment. The initiative will focus on institutional reforms, improved financial performance, and the development of investment-ready projects.
According to Ajay Banga, effective water systems are essential for economic growth, enabling farmers to increase production, businesses to operate efficiently, and cities to attract investment. He emphasized the need to align reforms, financing, and partnerships to deliver water services at scale.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of country-led water compacts, through which governments will set reform priorities, strengthen institutions, and outline investment pathways for their water sectors. So far, 14 countries have announced their national water compacts, with more expected to follow.
The initiative has brought together a wide range of global financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Investment Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank, among others, to coordinate financing and technical expertise. The World Bank Group has committed to delivering water security to 400 million people by 2030, with the broader Water Forward partnership aiming to surpass 1 billion beneficiaries.
With more than 1.2 billion young people expected to enter the workforce in developing countries over the next decade, strengthening water systems will be vital to building resilient economies, attracting investment, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
